§ Mr. PaiceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which body is responsible for ensuring that there are sufficient water resources for future large scale development under regional planning guidance. [101433]
§ Ms Beverley Hughes[holding answer 6 December 1999]: The consultation draft of Planning Policy Guidance Note 11—Regional Planning, published earlier this year, makes clear (para. 2.31) that the Regional Planning Bodies, in framing policies in draft Regional Planning Guidance, should consider with the Environment Agency and the water industry the availability of water resources. Regional Planning Guidance should help foster co-operation between local planning authorities, water 488W companies and the Environment Agency to ensure that water supply sources are protected and that rates of development do not exceed the capacities of existing or planned water supply systems to meet projected demand.