The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has provided a valuable summary of the report, highlighting a number of recommendations that will be of particular interest and concern to the housebuilding and development sector.
A Sector Under Pressure
The Commission makes it clear: the current water regulatory framework is no longer fit for purpose. It calls for a more coordinated, longer-term, and integrated approach to water systems planning, but also flags the urgent need to restore public trust, attract investment, and ensure a resilient water environment that can support growth.
However, for developers, the short-term outlook may feel more uncertain. The report acknowledges the constraints that current water infrastructure challenges place on housebuilding but does not offer immediate solutions for issues such as nutrient and water neutrality, water supply limitations, or sewerage capacity, challenges that many of our clients face today.
Instead, the Commission proposes several changes that could introduce new hurdles to development delivery, including:
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Mandatory consultation with water companies on certain planning applications
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A Government review of the current ‘right to connect’
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A stronger role for water companies in the planning system
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New statutory requirements for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
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Revisions to permitted development rights for water infrastructure
