Policy paper

National Policy Statement: water resources infrastructure

Policy for developing nationally significant infrastructure projects for water resources in England.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 8 July 2025
• Last updated: 14 July 2025 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

National Policy Statement for water resources infrastructure

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-5905-5, E03405510

PDF, 910 KB, 106 pages

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Details

This National Policy Statement is an update to the 2023 National Policy Statement for water resources infrastructure. 

This National Policy Statement (NPS) aims to: 

• streamline the planning permission process for nationally significant water infrastructure projects 
• enable new water supply infrastructure 
• provide planning guidance for applicants 

The NPS is the primary basis for examination by the Examining Authority. It’s used by the Secretary of State to consider development consent applications for nationally significant water resource infrastructure projects. 

This NPS is supported by an Appraisal of Sustainability and a Habitats Regulations Assessment. These documents can be made available on request from  water.resources@defra.gov.uk.

Published 8 July 2025

Last updated 14 July 2025 + show all updates

1. 14 July 2025

   Replaced the document ‘National Policy Statement for water resources infrastructure’. The paper was withdrawn and re-laid to correct the reference to the legislation section on the cover page.

2. 8 July 2025

   First published.