One of the concerns I hear most from people about new housing is the impact on local infrastructure – from roads to drainage.
I know from the emails and letters I receive just how much local residents want to see water quality improved and an end to localised flooding.
Over the past 12 months I’ve been working with local councillors and Southern Water to fix problems with the wastewater network in Faversham – building on the £2 million I secured for the wastewater treatment works last year.
But this progress risks being undone if our town is flooded with new homes. That’s why I’m calling for water companies to be given a bigger role in the planning process.
It’s shocking that concerns from water companies can just be ignored by planners. I’ve written to the Communities Secretary, Greg Clark, to ask that water companies be made statutory consultees in the planning process for housing developments.
The move would put water companies on the same footing as highways authorities and see water capacity given the same importance as other considerations like road safety.
My proposal would force councils to take water capacity seriously when deciding where to build new homes. It’s a sensible step that would benefit local residents and our environment.
