National Planning Policy Framework, Chapter 10: Securing clean energy and water (W1–4)
This is Chapter 10 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
Applies to England
The objective of the policies in this chapter of the National Planning Policy Framework is to support the development and operation of energy and water infrastructure in ways which align with wider development, clean power and net zero objectives (including the delivery of clean power by 2030).
Plan-making policies
W1: Planning for energy and water
1. The development plan should be informed by early engagement between the relevant plan-making authority, utility providers, regulators and network operators, so that there is a clear understanding of energy supply and network capacity, water supply, drainage and wastewater capacity, and associated requirements for additional infrastructure provision. This engagement should consider the impacts of planned growth, changing consumption patterns and climate change, as well as relevant strategic infrastructure plans[footnote 33], and be used to address potential constraints to development arising from current or anticipated infrastructure shortfalls.
2. The development plan should reflect this at the most appropriate level by:
a. Taking these factors into account in the location and phasing of planned growth;
b. Making provision for development which is required for new or enhanced renewable and low carbon energy development, electricity network infrastructure, water supply, drainage and wastewater infrastructure, whether as part of wider development proposals or as stand-alone developments; and
c. Setting out any measures to avoid constraints on the operation or future expansion of renewable and low carbon energy development and electricity network infrastructure and water supply and wastewater infrastructure as a result of neighbouring (or nearby) development.
W2: Securing renewable and low carbon energy and electricity network infrastructure
1. The development plan should support the transition to clean power by planning positively for the increased supply and use of renewable and low carbon energy and electricity network infrastructure. This means that the development plan, should, at the most appropriate level, seek to maximise the potential for suitable development by identifying:
a. Areas which are suitable for renewable and low carbon energy development and electricity network infrastructure, including for future re-powering and life extension, where this would help secure their development; and
b. Opportunities for development to draw its heat or energy supply from decentralised networks (such as district heat networks) or renewable or low carbon energy supply systems; and to co-locate potential customers and suppliers of surplus heat or energy[footnote 34].
National decision-making policies
W3: Renewable and low carbon energy development and electricity network infrastructure
1. In considering proposals for renewable and low-carbon energy development and electricity network infrastructure, substantial weight should be given to:
a. The benefits for improving energy security, supporting economic development and/or the transition to a net zero future;
b. In the case of applications for the re-powering and life-extension of existing sites, the additional benefit of utilising an established site for this purpose; and
c. The contribution that small-scale and community-led renewable and low carbon energy projects can make to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, along with their associated economic and social benefits.
2. Applicants should not be required to demonstrate the need for renewable or low carbon energy development and electricity network infrastructure. Where proposals for this form of development come forward outside areas which have been identified as suitable for them in the development plan, their acceptability should be assessed against the national decision-making policies in this Framework, taken as a whole.
3. Where development is expected to be time-limited, applications should be accompanied by proposals for decommissioning and site restoration, including details of how these measures are expected to be implemented.
W4: Water infrastructure
1. In considering proposals for water supply, drainage and wastewater development, substantial weight should be given to the benefits of:
a. Providing the capacity needed to serve proposed development and/or improving the security of supply and capacity for existing users (both residential and commercial, including agricultural users); and
b. Improving water quality and reducing water-borne pollution.
2. Applicants should not be required to demonstrate the need for water infrastructure developments.
This is Chapter 10 of the National Planning Policy Framework
Continue to Chapter 11: Facilitating the sustainable use of minerals (M1–6).
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Footnotes
33. This includes Water Resource Management Plans, Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans and, once they are published, the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP), Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP) and Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs). ↩
34. Once they are in place, there should be consideration of Heat Network Zones. ↩