Waste water treatment infrastructure is essential for public health and a clean environment. Demand for new and improved waste water infrastructure is likely to be driven by the following: (i) More stringent statutory requirements to protect the environment and water quality; (ii) Population growth and urbanisation; (iii) Replacement or improvement of infrastructure; (iv) Adaptation to climate change. This National Policy Statement (NPS) sets out Government policy for the provision of major waste water infrastructure as defined in the Planning Act 2008 (ISBN 9780105429081). It will be used as the primary basis for deciding development consent applications for waste water developments that fall within the definition of Nationally Significant infrastructure Projects (NSIP). The publication is divided into four chapters and four annexes: Chapter 1: Introduction; Chapter 2: Government policy on need for waste water infrastructure; Chapter 3 Factors for examination and determination of applications; Chapter 4: Generic impacts.

The UK's 347,000 kilometre network of sewers and 9,000 sewage treatment works fulfil the vital function of managing over 11 billion litres of waste water each day. Changing weather patterns and population growth are leading to increased volumes of waste water in some parts of the country. In coming years, there will be a need to construct new infrastructure to manage waste water. In particular, new infrastructure is needed in the River Thames area to cope with population growth and to meet the European Union's environmental requirements. But the draft National Policy Statement (NPS) on Waste Water needs radical improvement if it is to provide a valuable policy framework to guide decision-makers. The Committee criticise the draft National Policy Statement for focussing on two specific London projects, the Thames Tunnel and replacement of a sewage treatment works in North East London. They argue that it should set out a strong set of general principles for decision makers to apply to any waste water project once a specific application is made, rather than have site-specific sections. The Planning Act 2008's new regime for Nationally Significant Infrastructure (NSIPs) does not currently apply to the Thames Tunnel project-a surprising omission given that this multi-billion pound project is one of only two waste water projects likely to be of sufficient scale to come within the ambit of this NPS. The Government must rectify this urgently.

Dated February 2012. Government response to the EFRA Committee's fourth report of session 2010-11 (ISBN 9780215559050). The NPS framework document is publishing simultaneously (ISBN 9780108511080)

The draft National Policy Statement for Hazardous Waste (ISBN 9780108510878) was published for consultation in July 2011. Additional written evidence is contained in Volume 2, available on the Committee website at www.parliament.uk/efracom

'It really is terrific – just what the profession needs' * - Quod, Planning Consultancy By way of self-contained 'articles' focusing on the problems practitioners face on a daily basis, the authors share best practice, new ideas, updates on new developments and advice and solutions for problem areas explaining how to overcome common obstacles and thereby helping you navigate the Planning Act 2008 regime. The Fourth Edition covers: - The Examining Authority and the Secretary of State - National Policy Statements - Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects - Requirement for Development Consent - Pre-application Procedures - Information and Surveys - Making an Application - Contents of a Development Consent Order - Compulsory Purchase - Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitats - Regulations Assessment - Pre-examination, Examination and Post-examination - Correction of Errors, Changes and Revocation - Legal Challenges - Enforcement It also includes the Planning Act 2008, consolidated and up to date to January 2022. Francis Taylor Building (ftb) is a leading set of barristers' chambers specialising in infrastructure law, environmental law, planning law, compulsory purchase, land valuation and other areas of the law. *Review of the National Infrastructure Planning Service This title is included in Bloomsbury Professional's National Infrastructure Planning Service online service.

proposals for national policy statements on Energy : Third report of session 2009-10, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence