Written questions

Infrastructure: Water Supply

Commons · Question 29040 · Tabled 10 Sep 2026 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Official record

Answered 16 Sep 2026

Question

Asked by Freddie van Mierlo

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what principles will guide decisions on water allocation where the water requirements of major infrastructure projects may potentially conflict with environmental flow requirements for

Answer

Answered by Emma Hardy, 16 Sep 2026

The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should protect and enhance valued landscapes and sites of biodiversity, which includes Chalk Streams. We have also set out more clearly expectations for development propo...