Key facts
- England's housing targets are at risk due to water scarcity and aging infrastructure, especially in the east and south-east.
- Half of England is experiencing drought for the second consecutive year, impacting environmental and economic conditions.
- Water companies and environmental agencies have warned that current water supplies are insufficient for proposed new housing developments.
- Areas designated for significant housing growth, such as Hampshire and Cambridgeshire, are already facing severe water stress and environmental damage.
- Infrastructure improvements promised by water companies have been delayed or are not yet in place, further complicating supply issues.
The government's ambitious housing targets in England are being severely hampered by a critical lack of water and deteriorating infrastructure, particularly in the eastern and south-eastern regions. This situation is compounded by widespread drought conditions, with half the country experiencing severe water stress for the second consecutive year.
Areas designated for significant housing growth, such as Hampshire and Cambridgeshire, are already grappling with environmental pressures. Fenlands are nearing collapse due to over-extraction, and chalkstreams require artificial maintenance. Water companies have explicitly stated that there is insufficient water to support new housing developments, a problem exacerbated by aging and inadequate infrastructure.
Local authorities are finding it impossible to approve new housing plans. Paul Harvey, leader of Basingstoke and Deane council, highlighted that the council's water cycle study indicated that demand from new housing could exceed sustainable supply limits. Similarly, in Cambridgeshire, despite plans for 150,000 new homes, residents in villages like Waterbeach are under hosepipe bans, and environmental objections to new developments were only lifted with stringent water efficiency measures that are yet to be fully implemented.
Environmental groups and MPs are questioning the viability of these growth plans. Ali Morse of the Wildlife Trusts noted that even under normal conditions, water scarcity is a pressing issue, and climate change will worsen the situation. Damian Hinds, MP for East Hampshire, raised concerns about the long-term resilience of water supplies and the sustainability of planned housebuilding without significant infrastructure investment.
South East Water, a key provider in affected areas, is appealing a ban on abstracting water from the Greywell chalk aquifer and has failed to deliver a promised pipeline to Basingstoke. The company also states it cannot meet the housing demands in the Tonbridge and Malling area. Critics argue that proposed solutions, such as water credit schemes for developers, are not operational and will not be sufficient to meet the projected demand, especially when considering the growing needs of sectors like data centers.