Comment

Representation ID: 29113

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Environment Agency

Groundwater and Contaminated Land

The Water Environment (WFD)(E&W) Regulations 2017 and The Groundwater (WFD) (England) Direction 2016 set out objectives for groundwater including aiming for good chemical and quantitative status; reverse upwards trends in pollution; and preventing or limiting the entry of certain substances to waterbodies. Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) must have regard to these objectives and therefore should ensure their decisions help achieve these goals. Dealing with land contamination can help contribute to achieving the objectives of the Water Framework Directive.

Local Plans should be produced with an understanding of how local communities use their groundwater and the location of potentially contaminated land. The Sustainability Appraisal (SA) for the Local Plan is an opportunity to incorporate evidence and advice into plan making. The SA should reflect groundwater and contaminated land matters.