§ Viscount Montgomery of Alameinasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect 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.
§ Baroness BlatchMy right honourable friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and Wales have today published Circular 17/91 (Department of the Environment) and Circular 62/91 (Welsh Office). These give 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.
15WAThe circular stresses the strict deadlines for improving the quality of bathing and drinking waters, and emphasises 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.