Stuart Anderson is "delighted" that the Independent Water Commission has accepted his request to give water companies a bigger say on local development.
In November 2024, Stuart called on Ministers to equip water companies with the 'right to comment' on planning applications for future development.
In April 2025, he then responded to a Call for Evidence launched by the Independent Water Commission. He called for water companies to become statutory consultees in the planning system.
Stuart said that "antiquated sewerage systems are proving inadequate in light of increased water consumption." To address this problem, he said that water companies should be given a 'right to comment' over new planning applications.
As water companies are not currently statutory consultees, their only right to statutory consultation is when it comes to setting local plans. These are broader frameworks for meeting local housing needs.
In his submission, Stuart urged the Commission to ensure that water company insights on water supply and treatment capacity should be sought before local authorities grant consent for new developments.
Stuart added that a 'right to comment' would empower them to plan supply at a more granular level. He also said that this would ensure that water company investment plans better align with local development needs.
The Independent Water Commission published its final report on 21st July 2025. Stuart is delighted that the Commission agrees there is a "need for better integration of the water industry in the planning framework."
The Commission has recommended that the role of water companies in the planning process should be "strengthened to ensure they have sufficient sight and influence over upcoming developments."
The Commission has also urged the government to conduct a review of the 'right to connect.' This would enable a water company to object to a request when there is insufficient network capacity, for example.
The Commission states this would "ensure that the planning system was required to involve all parties at an earlier stage so that any required infrastructure can be planned and delivered in a timely way."
It means that Stuart's requests are more likely to be included in a new Water Reform Bill, which Ministers are expected to introduce early in this Parliament.
Only the Secretary of State can make changes to the list of statutory consultees. The Government has also taken up Stuart's request to ensure that sustainable drainage systems (SuDs) are installed at new developments.
Research has shown that the effective use of these systems can reduce the impact of new developments on sewers by up to 87%.
The Government has stated that its full response will be outlined later in the year through a White Paper. This document will provide the basis for further consultation and discussion with interested or affected groups.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"Water companies are currently excluded from the planning process; their only right to statutory consultation is when it comes to setting broader plans to meet housing needs. As a result, new builds are being plugged into antiquated sewerage systems that are not coping with increased water consumption. Launched in November 2024, my campaign aims to equip water companies with the 'right to comment' on individual planning applications. This would integrate their insights on specific sites and ensure that their investment plans are better aligned with local housing needs. I am glad that the Independent Water Commission has recognised these aims and the need to better integrate the water industry in the planning process. This means that my requests are more likely to be included in the Government's Water Reform Bill."
