Agenda item

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A Representative from Anglian Water gave a presentation to the Panel. A copy which is attached.

The Chair invited question and comments from the Panel.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor de Whalley expressed his concern with planning consent and questioned the situation with Anglian Water objecting to planning applications.

Representative from Anglian Water explained Anglian Water work with Officers at the Borough Council. She added Anglian Water were lobbying for change and highlighted working together to overcome barriers.

Councillor Bone commented if the population were to continue to increase and questioned if there was under investment and if Anglian Water should have better planned.

Representative from Anglian Water commented lessons were to be learnt from the past and growth had been restricted due to how Anglian Water are regulated and invested. She explained the Local Plan did not tie in with Anglian Water’s current short term investment plan. She highlighted they were lobbying to tie in with the Local Plan timescales and there needed a fundamental change with how Anglian Water was regulated.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Blunt thanked the representative from Anglian Water on the clarification as a strategic response was not received to the Local Plan. He commented on the West Winch development and hoped there was a strategy being put in place from Anglian Water. He commented that often comments on planning applications did not take account of the cumulative effect of other planning applications within the area.

The Representative from Anglian Water explained they were currently working on a drainage and wastewater management plan which was a statutory requirement. She explained this plan considered networks and wastewater recycling centres were currently in place and how they could manage growth in the future. She added Council Officers were engaging in this but acknowledged there were challenges. She referred to the cumulative impact and explained planning responses looked at known growth and infrastructure was considered as part of the response.

The Assistant Director for Environment and Planning commented on the Local Plan and hoped Anglian Water investment would align with the plan. He reminded Members Anglian Water were not a statutory consultee to applications, but their comments were considered.

Portfolio Holder, Councillor Moriarty welcomed proactive engagement and commented Central Government encouraged developments to be built but needed to be reminded of the other aspects such as Anglian Water infrastructure need to be considered.

The Chair, Councillor Parish highlighted the issues with wastewater disposal at Heacham meaning no further development in that area.

Councillor Bubb referred to the Internal Drainage Board (IDB) and the money being spent pumping water into the wash. He questioned why Anglian Water did not receive any of this water.

The Representative from Anglian Water explained they were working with, and discussions with the IDB were ongoing. She added other innovative works were ongoing including a new reservoir and new strategic pipelines to help with demand.

In response to a question from Councillor Lintern, under Standing Order 34, the representative from Anglian Water clarified farms managed their own water supply. She added Anglian Water were not allowing non-domestic allocation for agricultural uses such as chicken farms.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Blunt commented that he was surprised that there was no legal requirement for Anglian Water to supply to non-domestic allocations such as industrial or agricultural supplies.

The Representative from Anglian Water explained they work with non-domestic allocations to enable supply however they ensure domestic supply was not affected for the future.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Blunt commented this was providing further overheads for businesses restricting production. He added that he felt Anglian Water should be providing water to both domestic and non-domestic customers.  

The Representative from Anglian Water explained strategic pipelines had been delayed and if water wasn’t there to supply them, a balance needed to be considered to ensure future domestic use. She highlighted innovations were being considered to resolve the situation.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor de Whalley questioned what other water companies were doing to resolve the situation. In addition, he questioned if Anglian Water were working with Central Government to achieve the building targets.

The Representative from Anglian Water explained there was no easy solution and re use of water was not permitted by the Water Industry Act. She added it was not just water that was being reviewed it was also the delivery and the infrastructure.

The Assistant Director for Environment and Planning commented Central Government were realising the issues with water infrastructure and supplying water to new developments, as they were being contacted on the issue from various angles.

The Planning Policy Manager commended the working relationship with Anglian Water throughout the Local Plan. He highlighted things can be done locally with agencies such as Anglian Water, IDB and Environment Agency.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor de Whalley referred to his ward, Gayton and Grimston and the issues with water quality. He commented there was capacity for water recycling and ability to feed into the water recycling centres however the quality was lower due to the recycling centre being smaller and slower. He questioned if Anglian Water were looking to resolve the situation.

The Representative from Anglian Water explained if this was descriptive work then there would be no numeric permit therefore the quality is measured in a different way. She confirmed Anglian Water were working with the Environment Agency to identify issues and find resolutions. She explained there were compliance factors in a permit.

The Assistant Director for Environment and Planning confirmed that he didn’t think Grimston was a descriptive works and advised Members, Anglian Water have recently spent a lot of money to resolve the water quality issue within the area.

The Chair, Councillor Parish commented Anglian Water needed to be involved before sites were allocated.

Representative from Anglian Water provided assurance that they are already engaging with the planning team at the Borough Council.

The Planning Policy Manger highlighted to the Panel site allocations were adopted by the Local Plan and planning permission being approved can include clauses. He explained the importance of the timescales of the Local Plan aligning with Anglian Waters investment plan. He provided assurance to the Members of the continued working relationship and positive work being done.

The Assistant Director for Environment and Planning referred to upcoming planning committee training. He acknowledged there was disagreements between Anglian Water and the Borough Council, but Officers were working together.

RESOLVED: The update was noted and the comments of the Panel would be taken into consideration as appropriate.