Policy paper

National Policy Statement: water resources infrastructure

Policy for developing nationally significant infrastructure projects for water resources in England.

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published
8 July 2025

Applies to England

Documents

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-5891-1, E03400114

PDF, 799 KB, 106 pages

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Details

This National Policy Statement is an update to the 2023 National Policy Statement for water resources infrastructure.Ìý

This National Policy Statement (NPS) aims to: 

  • streamline the planning permission process for nationally significant water infrastructure projects 
  • enable new water supply infrastructure 
  • provide planning guidance for applicants 

°Õ³ó±ð NPS is the primary basis for examination by the Examining Authority. It’s used by the Secretary of State to consider development consent applications for nationally significant water resource infrastructure projects.Ìý

°Õ³ó¾±²õ NPS is supported by an Appraisal of Sustainability and a Habitats Regulations Assessment. These documents can be made available on request from  water.resources@defra.gov.uk.

Updates to this page

Published 8 July 2025

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