Property Development: Sewers and Water Treatment
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department provides to local planning authorities on wastewater treatment capacity when determining applications for major housing developments.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook
Planning Practice Guidance on water supply, wastewater, and water quality sets out how the planning process should take account of water quality and the delivery of adequate water and wastewater infrastructure. That guidance can be found on gov.uk here.
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to wastewater treatment capacity.
The proposed policies will support the development and operation of energy and water infrastructure that meets the needs of existing and future development. They emphasise the need for early engagement between relevant plan-making authorities, utility providers, regulators, and network operators. This will ensure that development plans align with the capacity and future requirements of water infrastructure, and support the delivery of water supply, drainage, and wastewater infrastructure.
We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 86955 on 11 November 2025.
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