Government outlines waste water policy statement
Author: John Geoghegan, Planning Magazine |
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has published the first national policy statement (NPS) for infrastructure dealing with waste water.
The framework document, which the government has stated it will adopt in 21 days if Parliament does not wish to vote on it, will provide guidance to the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) for determining projects of national significance.
The document expresses the need for two such schemes, the controversial Thames Tunnel sewer pipe, which is intended to collect and carry sewage underneath London, and a sewage treatment works scheme in Deephams, north-east London.
It says stricter laws on protecting the environment and water quality, population growth and urbanisation, and the threat of climate change are causing growing demand for new and improved waste water infrastructure.
In a written ministerial statement expressing her intention to designate the NPS, environment secretary Caroline Spelman said: “Despite measures which will slow the growth in demand for new waste water infrastructure in England, for example the use of sustainable drainage systems, we will continue to need investment in new waste water infrastructure in order to modernise outdated infrastructure, meet future demands from a growing population and the effects of climate change, and to fulfil our EU obligations.”
Last month, the government designated its NPS on ports, with another, on hazardous waste, published in draft last year.
Further NPSs on transport networks, aviation and waste are awaiting publication for consultation.
The IPC will be merged into the Planning Inspectorate in April and will make recommendations to the secretary of state on major developments considered to be of national importance.
National Policy Statement for Waste Water is available here.