Wastewater National Policy Statements consultation

Photo source: Thames Water Abbey Mills discharge 

Consultation has started on the National Policy Statements (NPS) for wastewater. This document sets out the criteria with which the Infrastructure Planning Commission and its successor the Major Infrastructure Planning Unit (MIPU) will use to judge whether major wastewater projects should be approved. As this blog predicted the NPS specifically covers the Thames Tideway Tunnel and Deepham Sewage Treatment Works.

The last Government brought in a totally new ‘fast track’ planning process for major infrastructure projects (2008 Planning Act), and the National Policy Statements are an important element of this process. The Government has made clear that they envisage a seemless transition from the IPC to the MIPU and that the NPS will still apply.

The consultation process announced by DEFRA is an important opportunity to comment on whether the NPS are fit for purpose and provide an adequate framework for the IPC to judge whether major wastewater projects should be approved.  The concern has to be that interested groups will not appreciate how important these documents are and that once agreed then the rules are effectively set in stone and can’t easily be altered. 

Thames Tunnel goes to IPC

Photo source: Thames Water

The decision announced this week that the Thames Tunnel will be referred to The Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) is perhaps surprising. The 2008 Planning Act does not list sewers as nationally significant infrastructure projects so it has needed a decision by a Minister to ensure its covered.

Referring the planning application to the IPC has obvious benefits to the Government as it provides a fast track way of making decisions and keeps Ministers one step removed. It will require the National Policy Statement for wastewater, (due to be issued in draft this autumn) to be revised to provide guidance for sewer projects.

The involvement of the IPC may not make it any easier for Thames Water to gain planning permission. The 2008 Planning Act requires applicants to demonstrate that they have considered and consulted on alternatives. It also gives power to local councils to judge whether the applicants consultation process has been adequate.

This is likely to prove controversial as many local councils are opposed to the huge cost of the tunnel scheme and are already saying that Thames Water has not adequately looked at alternatives. So the involvement of the IPC may actually slow down the tunnel project and lead to considerable further debate on the best way forward.