Publication of the Independent Water Commission’s Final Report, alongside new legislation and updated national standards, marks a major turning point in the wider adoption of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) by water companies and developers, according to Alex Stephenson, director, SuDSPlanter.

Welsh Water has hosted its latest developer forums in North and South Wales, marking 15 years of these events providing space for collaboration and opportunities to improve services for home builders across its operating area.

Reforms announced today by the Environment Secretary Steve Reed will see a more dynamic, streamlined approach to environmental regulation will drive economic growth and safeguard nature under the Plan for Change.

The landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill will be formally introduced to Parliament this week, laying the groundwork for a new approach to prioritise new transmission infrastructure which will unlock growth with £200 billion of investment.

The Government has published a planning reform policy working paper paper on development and nature recovery proposing a new approach which uses funding from development to deliver environmental improvements and moves more responsibility for the improvements onto the state rather than developers.

Measures to unblock much-needed infrastructure projects whilst supporting nature recovery at scale will be included in proposals for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill this year, the Government has announced as part its Plan for Change.

The government has set out measures to tackle pollution at source and enable the construction of thousands of homes, as it publishes a list of over 140 wastewater treatment works legally required to be upgraded in areas affected by nutrient neutrality advice.

The Government has set out plans to launches pilot water credits market scheme in Cambridge as part of its guidance to addressing water scarcity in Greater Cambridge.

The Government has confirmed its plan to relax nutrient neutrality rules by amending the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill – saying that “over 100,000 homes held up due to defective EU laws will be unblocked between now and 2030” as a result.

Somerset Council is hoping to secure Government funding to deliver phosphate mitigation measures which will unlock the delivery of 18,000 new homes across the area and provide for longer term nature recovery.