Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation from Anglian Water, (slides enclosed).

The Committee welcomed Ms Hannah Wilson, Pre-Development Planning Manager, from Anglian Water (AW).  Ms Wilson presented Members with a General overview of AW, their involvement at the pre-planning stage, and how capacity concerns are identified and subsequently mitigated.

A summary of the information presented to Members is detailed as follows:

·       A large area of water networks is covered by AW, comprising of both foul water and surface water.  This includes both independent (a dedicated network for either foul or surface water) and combined networks (foul and surface water).

·       AW seek to encourage sustainable growth. 

·       AW are regulated by the following organisations:

o   The Water Services Regulation Authority (OfWat);

o   The Environment Agency (EA).

·       There are two teams that input directly into the local planning process:

o   Spatial Planning Team:

§  Statutory consultees;

§  Respond to neighbourhood plans; 

§  Recently rolled out a Green Water Programme – how developments can look to use water wisely.

o   Pre-Development Team:

§  Technical Team;

§  Tactical side of planning – looks at all planning applications and pre-planning reports;

§  Seeks to engage with Local Authorities – Members, town and parish councils;

§  Engagement with developers;

§  Market Insight Group look at growth strategically.

·       Pre-Planning Reports – developer led (this is a paid for service and encouraged by AW).

o   Developers are expected to submit all relevant information and proposals, including connections and information on foul and surface water drainage.

o   In response AW produce a report which identifies any constraints and, where possible, instigates working together to develop a strategy to work with proposed growth.

o   Developers are under no obligation to approach AW for a pre-planning report.  These generally assist in a smoother process and potentially mitigate the need to add conditions.

o   Pre-Planning Reports are covered by the Data Protection Act.  The applicant owns the report, restricting the information that AW would be able to provide to the Local Authority.  Maldon District Council (MDC) caseworkers are advising applicants to approach AW as part of the pre-application process.

·       Planning Applications

o   Under the Water Industry Act developers have the right to connect to a water network, therefore, AW are unable to reject applications on the grounds of capacity.  Through liaising with applicants at the pre-application stage, a reactive approach can be mitigated.

o   AW are not a statutory consultee, despite approaching Government to become one.  All Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) are good at notifying AW of applications.

o   Major applications, 10 or more dwellings or over 0.5 hectares, will receive a response from AW.

o   Minor applications, less than 10 dwellings, are requested to approach AW for assessment.

o   Comment on the discharge of conditions regarding the networks.

o   AW have provided MDC with some standard text which will be provided to applicants at the pre-application stage.

·       Mapping Services:

o   Sewers can impact the layout of a development, diversion or building over sewers requires permission from AW.

o   Easements regarding noise and odour around pumping stations can be recommended.  Proximity to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 333