The NFU represented the farming sector at a recent launch event hosted by Therese Coffey, Environment Minister, where plans for a National Policy Statement for Water Resources were unveiled.
An NPS is a planning tool provided for by the Planning Act 2008. Sectors specified by the act can bypass local planning arrangements for infrastructure projects that are deemed to be of national significance, where a NPS has been put in place.
Once deemed nationally significant, applications can be handled by the Planning Inspectorate and consent is decided by ministers rather than the local authority, cutting down approval time.
Water is the only sector specified in the Planning Act not yet to have an NPS.
The NFU will have a dual role to play in the development on the Water Resources NPS.
On the one hand we are keen to work with the public water sector to identify potential opportunities for collaboration on new water supply projects and infrastructure that can improve farmers’ access to water.
On the other hand we’ve previously had some concern over the scope of the socio-economic impact of infrastructure schemes in other sectors, such as HS2. We will be asking for appropriate guidelines to be put in place that adequately assess the impact on farming of new schemes.
The government plans to consult this year on its broad approach to the water resources NPS, with a view to drafting the statement for public and parliamentary scrutiny by summer 2018. The final NPS is expected to be issued by mid-2019.