Maximising planning for water

To achieve positive environmental outcomes, Defra Group should encourage the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to strengthen requirements for considering water strategically in planning. This includes requiring water cycle studies or equivalent in areas affected by water infrastructure pressures as part of the local plan evidence base to ensure water is fully integrated in decision making.

This study highlights that the process of creating a local plan is crucial for better water outcomes. The process, including early engagement, timing and the strength of evidence is just as important as the final plan. Defra Group can build on this study by promoting its key messages and adopting recommendations such as creating tailored learning, updating guidance, and setting higher water design standard and reviewing stakeholder roles in data collection and monitoring. These steps will help build capacity across the system and support more sustainable water management.

Better coordination of evidence studies and stakeholder engagement is needed. Defra should consider standardising and simplifying strategic water planning evidence base to reduce uncertainty and improve integration with local planning.

Understanding water as a connected system is essential. Defra Group should encourage the use of clear logic chains that link policies to interventions, supported by strong evidence. This helps ensure that decisions, policies, and interventions are not only effective but also sustainable by protecting and improving the management of water over the long term. It also means that any potential disbenefits can be identified early, reducing the risk of unintended consequences.

Defra group must champion early, coordinated engagement and systems thinking to ensure sustainable water management.