Planning Guidance

This guidance has been developed for Policy Planners and Development Management Officers in the East of England (although the information can be applied to those outside of the region).  Planning for Water informs and enables planners to drive water efficiency.  The site also serves as a signposting hub for planning advice on water supply and wastewater infrastructure, flooding and drainage and other water-related planning issues.

 
This guidance is divided into four sections, with information on the following:

 
Water efficiency – regulation and cost
The regulation section has up to date information on the latest government initiatives for new build (including the Code for Sustainable Homes and Part G of the Building Regulations), existing stock and regulation of fittings.  The cost section covers the main factors impacting on the cost of water and the cost-benefit of water efficiency measures including metering, water and energy use, the cost of water efficient fittings, pay back times in domestic situations and cost savings for businesses.

Water efficiency and the planning system
This section outlines how planners can drive water efficiency in the East of England. It summarises the mechanism, the policy hooks and the evidence base, including Local Development Frameworks, PPS1 Supplement on Climate Change, Water Stress Classification, Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies and Water Cycle Studies.

Integration of water issues into planning
This section contains descriptions of the various tools that need to be taken into account when determining content of local planning policy. It signposts users to websites and other resources for detailed advice and includes information on Water Resource Management Plans, Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies, Water Cycle Studies, Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, Surface Water Management Plans, Green Infrastructure Studies, Water Framework Directive and RBMPs, Habitats Directive and Appropriate Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment, Sustainable Drainage Systems and Ecotowns.

Policy Guidance
This section explains the essential ingredients for crafting water efficiency policies and accompanying text, with examples and critiques of policies from Local Development Documents in the East of England and nationally.