Policy CC/WE: Water efficiency in new developments

1. All development proposals (with the exception of householder applications) must demonstrate that there will be an adequate water supply available to serve the development. Where development is being phased, each phase must demonstrate sufficient water supply and the provision of the necessary infrastructure prior to occupation of that phase of development. 

2. All development must demonstrate highly water efficient design in line with the following requirements: 

  a. for residential development of 100 or more dwellings, water usage of no more than 80 litres/person/day. To achieve this level, some form of water reuse or recycling will be necessary with dual pipe systems for potable and non-potable water, subject to amendments to relevant water legislation. Proposals that seek to deliver levels of water usage below this level are encouraged. 

  b. for residential development of less than 100 dwellings, water usage of between 90 to 100 litres/person/day. Proposals that seek to deliver levels of water usage below this level are encouraged. 

  c. for non-residential development, 5 credits for category Wat 01 of BREEAM, unless demonstrated not practicable. Also, full credits for category Wat 02 and category Wat 03 of BREEAM. 

  d. for non-residential developments that use water as part of a commercial process(es), full credits for category Wat 04 of BREEAM. 

  e. proposals involving the refurbishment or change of use of existing buildings should undertake retrofitting to increase water efficiency. 

3. Details of any water reuse or recycling system must be provided in the Sustainability Statement, showing the location of infrastructure and including details of how it will be managed and maintained. 

4. Each individual dwelling, including flats within a larger building, must have its own water meter to enable the monitoring of water use. 

5. All new dwellings with private outdoor amenity space should provide a water butt for collection of rainwater for outdoor irrigation. The use of rainwater should be prioritised for outdoor irrigation of shared amenity space/ landscape areas in residential developments and non-residential developments.

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

is one of the driest areas in the UK, and Cambridge Water’s supply zone is classified as an area of ‘serious water stress’ by the Environment Agency. Water is abstracted from the chalk aquifer, and this has been causing environmental problems. The level of abstraction is being reduced by the Environment Agency changes to licences to prevent any further environmental deterioration and allow for the regeneration of the local area’s rare chalk streams. 

Cambridge Water’s Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP24) sets out measures to reduce the demand for water by reducing leakage and the installation of smart meters and also sets out new sources of water supply (Strategic Resource Options) including a proposed pipeline that will bring in water from Grafham Water (anticipated by 2032) and the delivery of the new Fens Reservoir by 2036 (a joint scheme between Cambridge Water and Anglian Water). Due to the pressure on water resources in

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

, a Water Scarcity Group has been established by the Government to tackle this issue, working with a wide range of stakeholders. 

For development needs to be met sustainably, it is vital that buildings are designed to be as water efficient as possible. This includes installing fixtures and fittings that use water efficiently and introducing measures that recycle water. While it is noted that the use of water recycling is currently impacted by the potable water definition, this is currently under review by Government. All development should reduce water use below current and future

The Building Regulations 2010 cover the construction and extension of buildings, providing the minimum standards for design, construction and alterations to virtually every building. Building regulations approval is different from planning permission and you might need both for your project.

requirements through the use of water efficient fixtures and fittings. Once regulation allows for it, we would require larger developments to include water reuse/recycling measures and achieve an even greater level of efficiency. Water recycling measures could range from individual property measures through to community-level infrastructure, and include systems that recycle rainwater, stormwater, greywater or foul water and use dual pipe systems for potable and non- potable water. The best approach will depend on site-specific circumstances but planning for these measures should be considered early in the design process so that holistic opportunities for integrated water management across a site are taken. Planning conditions will be used to secure the proper implementation, management and maintenance of water recycling systems. 

High water efficiency is required for non-residential developments based on BREEAM standards. This includes standards for domestic uses within these premises (such as kitchens/toilets/internal watering of plants) and any process water such as for industrial, laboratory, or cooling processes. 

Shortly before publication of this draft plan the government began a consultation on revision to Part G of the

The Building Regulations 2010 cover the construction and extension of buildings, providing the minimum standards for design, construction and alterations to virtually every building. Building regulations approval is different from planning permission and you might need both for your project.

(2010) related to water efficiency. This includes seeking views on revising the optional technical standard from 110 litres per person per day to 100 litres per person per day, and a further range of standards which could go beyond this. We consider that the 100 litres/person/day would not be sufficient to address water pressure facing the area, and that we should continue to seek a higher standard. 

Where Government policy or legislation relating to water efficiency is more stringent or at significant variance with this policy in the future, the more stringent standard will be adopted when determining planning applications. 

To protect the water environment, Cambridge Water is applying an enhanced assessment of new connection requests from April 2025, particularly in the lead up to major new supply infrastructure in the early 2030’s. They also have an incentive scheme to promote water efficient home building and offer discounts to developers based upon the amount of water consumption reduction. Early engagement with Cambridge Water on development proposals is therefore highly recommended. 

Applicants will be expected to provide details of the water supply infrastructure and the water efficiency measures to be introduced as part of a planning application where policy requirements are met. For major planning applications, the Local Planning Authority will expect details regarding water supply to be included as part of a Utilities Statement in line with the requirements in Policy I/ID. For minor planning applications, where required, water supply details can be provided as part of a Sustainability Statement, a

A statement that accompanies a planning application to explain the design principles and concepts that have informed the development and how access issues have been dealt with. The access element of the statement should demonstrate how the principles of inclusive design, including the specific needs of disabled people, have been integrated into the proposed development and how inclusion will be maintained and managed.

, or a Planning Statement for the proposed development. Meanwhile, evidence must be provided to show how the stated water efficiency levels can be achieved by the proposed development as part of a Sustainability Statement. 

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

  : Climate Change Topic Paper (2025)

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  Collaborative approaches to land use and water management that integrate social, environmental, and economic factors to deliver the coordinated management of water storage, water supply, water demand, wastewater, flood risk, water quality, and the role of water in the natural environment.

  Study (2025)

We will consider all comments while developing the next version of the

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

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All comments must be received by 30 January 2026 at 5pm.