THE WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE AND PLANNING INITIAL ADVICE TO PLANNING AUTHORITIES IN ENGLAND AND WALES

(2006) THE WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE AND PLANNING INITIAL ADVICE TO PLANNING AUTHORITIES IN ENGLAND AND WALES. Technical Report. Environment Agency, UK.

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Summary

The Water Framework Directive The Water Framework Directive (WFD) was published in December 2000 and transposed into English and Welsh law in December 2003. It introduces a new concept of “good status‿1 that is far more rigorous than current water environment quality measures. It is estimated that 95% of water bodies are at risk of failing to meet ‿good status‿. The River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) required by the Directive are important new strategies that should influence development plans, and be influenced by them. The first RBMPs must be published by December 2009. What it means for planners. Planners should not wait until 2009 for RBMPs. Planning bodies and authorities need to think about the implications of proposed development and land use change on water, including beyond their local authority boundary,and take action now, using their development plan and emerging work on River Basin Management Plans as a starting point. In parts of England, major growth is proposed where water resources and the ability to handle increased volumes of sewage effluent, are already constrained. Future development needs to be planned carefully so that it does not result in further pressure on the water environment and compromise WFD objectives. Failure to comply with Water Framework Directive requirements may lead to the European Commission bringing legal proceedings against the UK. Local Authorities have a general responsibility not to compromise the achievement of UK compliance with EC Directives.

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