Water

309. Water is an essential part of everyone's daily life, domestically and for industry. It also has a vital role in supporting the natural environment. In recognition of this Hampshire County Council, with the key regulatory authorities and utilities, has undertaken a comprehensive study of water resources to develop a joint strategy for the future. This recognises that all players must operate together, at an early a stage as possible, to ensure efficient use of water resources without compromising the natural environment.

310. Climate change may have an increasing effect on water resources, with predicted increase in winter rainfall, drier summers and rising sea levels. Together with increasing usage per head and the scale of new development required in the Plan, water management issues are likely to become increasingly important.

E1 Development will not be permitted where it is likely to lead to the deterioration of the quality of groundwater or surface water.

311. National guidance on water quality, contaminated land and land drainage is largely set out in PPG12 Development Plans and Regional Planning Guidance, PPG23 Planning and Pollution Control, EC Bathing Water and Urban Waste Water Treatment Directives and various Environment Agency documents, in particular the Policy and Practice for the Protection of Ground Water.

312. In Hampshire, investigations have indicated that, overall, there are currently no major constraints on new development imposed by water supply or water quality considerations, but awareness of the implications of development on the water environment is evolving rapidly and a precautionary approach must be adopted There are also some potential local capacity thresholds and water quality concerns which, although they may be overcome by investment, require careful and early integration with the development plan process.

313. Local planning authorities must not, therefore, be complacent. As a result of the additional pressures on the resource they should, through the promotion, control and design of new development, try to raise water quality standards, deter profligate use of water resources through the use of efficient installation and drainage systems; and continue to have regard to the various means for protecting aquifers.

314. Unless carefully sited, new development can exacerbate problems of water supply, flooding, pollution in watercourses and groundwater and water levels in surface ponds and streams. Effective liaison between the local planning authorities and the Environment Agency will be essential if the water environment is to be protected. To assist in this process at a strategic level Hampshire County Council has established a Water Consultation Group on which the authorities, the three Environment Agency regional offices covering Hampshire, and all the water utilities operating in the area are represented.

E2 Development, other than change of use, which would be at direct risk of flooding or likely to increase risk of flooding elsewhere will not be permitted. Within defined flood risk areas, any development permitted should incorporate flood containment or public safety measures justified on that account.

New development, or the extension or intensification of existing development along the coast, must take into account areas identified as being at risk from coastal flooding or coastal erosion.

315. National guidance on flood and coastal defence policies for risk areas is set out in the Strategy for Flood and Coastal Defence in England and Wales, 1993; PPG20 ; the Development and Flood Risk Circular (which is to be replaced by PPG 25); and various Environment Agency documents.

316. The risk to people, buildings and the environment from flooding and coastal erosion must be reduced. This objective will be met by encouraging the provision of technically, environmentally and economically sound flood defence measures. At the same time, development will be discouraged in areas at risk from flooding and erosion.

317. Local planning authorities will need to adopt policies to avoid, rather than mitigate, the undesirable effects of development within areas liable to flood and prevent an increase in surface water run-off.

318. Sea defence planning is undertaken by the Environment Agency and coastal district councils. The Agency is currently planning its sea defence programme based on an annual rise in sea level of 6mm a year and has defined coastal flood risk areas in accordance with the Water Act, as amended by the Water Resources Act . Local plans will need to show these flood risk areas and those stretches of the coastline which are prone to coastal erosion.