Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Paragraph: 108
We further recommend that planning authorities in England establish a presumption against granting planning permission...
Recommendation
We further recommend that planning authorities in England establish a presumption against granting planning permission for new intensive poultry or other intensive livestock units in catchments where the proposed development would exceed the catchment’s nutrient budget, unless evidence is presented of robust mitigation plans in place that are demonstrably effective in reducing the accumulation of phosphate and nitrate loads in soils and river sediments within sensitive areas in the catchment.
Paragraph Reference:
108
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government agrees the risks associated with microplastics need to be assessed and effectively mitigated. As noted in response to recommendation 16, alongside other areas of work, the UK water industry funded Chemicals Investigation Programme is improving our understanding of the hazards of microplastics in wastewater. This will include research into the pathways of microplastics through wastewater and methods to improve wastewater management and the use of resulting sludge by-product. Investigations into the risk of microplastics will continue through the next water company investment cycle. To make progress in the short term, the water industry, with support of the Environment Agency, are making changes. For example, six water companies have installed containment measures to prevent the loss of bio-beads from wastewater treatment.