Issues and Options

Yes

In our view the proposed scope of the Local Plan Review is appropriate particularly the emphasis on climate change and natural environment. Anglian Water is generally supportive of the relevant Borough wide policies as outlined in the adopted Local Plan 2030. We are content with Policies 33 (Impact of development - Infrastructure impact), 47S (Pollution, Disturbance and Contaminated land) and 50S (Water Resources) as set out in the adopted Local Plan. We would suggest that policies 52 (water demand) and 93 (Sustainable Drainage Systems) be brought together to promote an integrated approach to water management including the incorporation of water re-use measures as part of new development proposals. Anglian Water would welcome the opportunity to work with the Bedford Local Plan Team and other interested organisations e.g. LLFA to develop policies relating to SuDs, water efficiency/re-use and integrated water management in advance of formal public consultation. Please see refer to the Water Management Checklist developed with the LLFAs in our region for further details of what this policy could include. https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/siteassets/household/about-us/water-management-checklist-for-local-policies.pdf

Reference is made sustainable food production in the context of climate change. The Anglian Water region is both low lying and has low rainfall. As such it is particularly susceptible to climate change as outlined in our Climate Change Adaptation Report. We would therefore recommend that the vision including reference to long term resilience of infrastructure from the effects of climate change due to an increased risk of drought and flooding from intense rainfall events.

I agree with this plan period

We understand that a number of local authorities in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc are intending to undertake Local Plan Reviews to address the Government’s aspirations for further economic and housing growth to 2050. As an infrastructure provider it would be helpful if the plan period was consistent with the other local plans being prepared within the Oxford Cambridge Arc. Similarly it would be helpful if the timescales for Local Plan Reviews and the Bedford Local Plan Review are aligned as far as is practicable.

All development proposals will be expected to require connections to the public water supply and sewerage networks including the potential need for mitigation to supply water and drain sites effectively. Dependant upon the scale and location of development there may also be a need for further investment by Anglian Water at receiving water recycling centres or within the sewerage network to accommodate additional foul flows from development. In relation to surface water management we would recommend that all sites incorporate the use of effective Sustainable Drainage Systems as part of the design process which can reduce surface water and sewer flooding and has wider community and environmental benefits e.g. water quality enhancement. There is also a need to promote increased use of water efficiency/re-use measures to reduce the impact on existing water resources and which would have wider environmental and community benefits. Please also see our comments in relation to the development of Water Smart Communities (questions 9 and 10)

I agree

Opportunities for integrated water management should be considered, to encourage multi-functional water management assets which support other community objectives. This approach combines different elements of water management (e.g. combining SuDS with a water re-use system to both manage runoff and provide an alternative non-potable water supply) together with town planning and design (e.g. integrating the planted SuDS features throughout a development to contribute to ‘greener’ streetscapes).

Yes - Anglian Water as a water company faces four pressing and interlinked challenges – climate change, environmental protection, population growth and the risk of drought. The scale of challenge is significant as outlined in our Water Resource Management Plan - a total regional deficit of 144 Ml/d by 2045. Anglian Water is making significant investment as part of our Water Resource Management Plan (WRMP) 2019 to address the above challenges to ensure that our customers and continue to be supplied by water now and in the future. The WRMP and related documents are available to view at the following address: https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/about-us/our-strategies-and-plans/water-resources-management-plan/ Please refer to Water Resource Zone summary for Ruthamford South Water Resource Zone for further information relating to the Bedford water supply system. We are of view that there is sufficient evidence that development proposals should go beyond the optional national standard for water efficiency for housing (110 litres/per person/per day) within our company area and have advocated changes at national level to existing building regulations as part of a recent Defra consultation on personal water consumption as well as related actions on water efficient labelling. Bedford Council can assist by promoting increased water efficiency and re-use as part of development proposals in the Local Plan Review.

Reference is made to made to potential locations for additional development to be identified in the Local Plan Review. When allocating housing, employment and retail sites we would recommend that the potential impacts principally odour and noise from existing water recycling centres (formerly wastewater treatment works) and sewage pumping stations located adjacent or within the vicinity of proposed sites is fully considered. In effect allocated sites should be located where there a suitable standard of amenity can be provided and the continuous use of our existing water recycling infrastructure for our customers is not prejudiced. We would also ask that consideration be given to whether a proposed allocation site is located within a source protection zone. This is important to ensure that existing water sources for public water supply would not be adversely affected from polluting activities.