Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects: Advice on the Water Framework Directive
Summary
The Planning Inspectorate has published non-statutory advice explaining how the Water Environment Regulations 2017 and the Water Framework Directive should be considered in Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project applications. The guidance sets out the roles of the Secretary of State, Examining Authority and applicants in assessing potential effects on water bodies and ensuring sufficient information is available for decision-making.
Why it matters
Residential property surveyors may encounter schemes affected by major infrastructure proposals, particularly where water environment impacts, drainage, or nearby protected water bodies are relevant. The advice also reinforces the importance of environmental information in planning processes that can influence land use, development constraints and local property considerations.
Key points
- Advice applies to NSIP applications and is non-statutory but based on good practice.
- The Water Environment Regulations 2017 transpose the Water Framework Directive into UK law.
- The Secretary of State and Examining Authority must consider potential effects on water bodies and related obligations.
- River Basin Management Plans must be taken into account in Planning Act 2008 functions.
- Environmental Statements may need to address WFD impacts and any requested derogation.
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