§ Mr. SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to issue guidance to local authorities on the planning considerations associated with the water companies' investment to improve the quality of bathing and drinking water; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoMy right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Secretary of State for Wales have today published Circular 17/91—Department of the Environment—and Circular 62/91—Welsh Office. This gives guidance on the planning implications for local authorities of substantial investment by the water industry to improve the quality of bathing waters, to find alternative disposal means for sewage sludge at present disposed of at sea, and to improve the quality of drinking water.
The circular stresses the strict deadlines for improving the quality of bathing and drinking waters, and emphasises 187W local planning authorities' responsibility to work with the water industry to find suitable sites for sewage treatment works and to handle planning applications without delay. It also reminds authorities of the need to allocate sites for sewage treatment works, where appropriate, when preparing or reviewing development plans. And it advises water companies to consider the need for environmental assessment of their proposals at the earliest possible stage.