Northern Ireland Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has launched a public consultation on Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in new housing developments.

The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee will hear evidence in person on Wednesday from Philip Duffy, Environment Agency Chief Executive and Emma Hardy, Minister for Water and Flooding as part of its inquiry into flood resilience in England.

Scottish Water is investing £2 million to upgrade a section of its supply network in Springburn and Robroyston to support the development of around 5,000 new homes.

Two Government departments, local planning authorities and the Environment Agency have set out plans to tackle water scarcity in Greater Cambridge – and are calling on Cambridge Water to publish and deliver a Water Resources Management Plan to provide a sustainable, safe, sufficient supply of water to meet all of the planned development in the future across the Cambridge area.

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.

Beginning 12 February, all major housing developments will now be legally required to deliver at least a 10% benefit Biodiversity Net Gain.

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.

United Utilities is working with housing developers to boost sustainable drainage levels. The first two SuDS systems adopted by United Utilities were built by Story Homes at developments in Carlisle and Wetheral, followed by a third system developed by Wrenman Strategic Land in Lancaster.

The Government has said that once legislation is in place for forthcoming measures in the Levelling up and Regeneration Bill for the upgrade of wastewater treatment works in catchments of Habitats Sites affected by nutrient pollution and development, “decision-makers can be confident the upgrades will be in place by 2030.”

Affinity Water is collaborating with builders and home buyers to conduct a series of trials that will test how best to reduce water usage in new homes and businesses to protect the environment and secure sustainable water supply for the future.