Development in close proximity to or discharging to a waterbody must demonstrate through a WFD assessment:

1. That it has no adverse impact on the quality of waterbodies and groundwater, or will prevent future attainment of good status;

2. That development contributes positively to the water environment and its ecology and does not adversely affect surface and ground water quality; and

3. How they have contributed to the protection and enhancement of waterbodies identified by the Anglian and Thames River Basin Management Plan objectives, covering the Ouse and Lea catchments.

For any development that would have a direct impact on any watercourse (e.g. re- alignment of a river or work to bridges) the impact of that development on water quality must be demonstrated.

For any water body that is already in the lowest status class (including poor groundwater quantitative status) under the WFD, the Council will expect development to deliver enhancements where rivers and lakes are not achieving good ecological status or potential. Development that would result in deterioration shall not be permitted. A Groundwater Risk Assessment will be needed to support a planning application where activities could directly or indirectly pollute groundwater.

New development will be supported where it delivers opportunities to enhance the quality of the water environment, for example by:

4. Integrating SUDS and green infrastructure into new development;

5. Managing and where possible reducing the risk of water pollution;

6. Reducing the effects of flooding and drought on water bodies, and the prioritisation of naturalistic flood defence over the provision of hard flood defences;

7. Making modification to watercourses to restore ‘natural’ systems, including de-culverting, restoring or re-profiling rivers and naturalising river banks;

8. Adopting water efficiency measures; and

9. Restoring contaminated land.

Opportunities identified by Catchment Partnerships and flood risk management authorities should inform development proposals.

For more information, please visit the Central Befordshire Local Plan