Tom Gordon calls for the Government to factor housing development impacts into water quality consideration
Following his meeting last week with the Environment Agency at Knaresborough Lido, Tom Gordon today in Parliament called on the Government to consider the impact of new housing developments on water quality. The question was posed to the Government at today’s Business Questions.
The meeting last week, alongside Knaresborough Lib Dem Councillor Hannah Gostlow, focussed on the sewage and pollution issues in the River Nidd, particularly at the Knaresborough Lido, that last year was awarded bathing water status, thanks to the efforts of the Nidd Action Group, Andrew Jones, Cllr Hannah Gostlow and the community. However, the water quality is still very poor.
Tom wants to see the Nidd properly cleaned up, and his question today focussed on another potential issue that the Environment Agency has identified – the impact of new housing developments on the sewage system. They are concerned that this may be worsening the River Nidd’s pollution. Tom urged the Minister to ensure that new housing developments are factored into efforts to improve water quality.
In reply, the Minister said that the Housing and Environment departments were in discussions over the issue. It comes after Tom raised the issue of housing targets being forced on North Yorkshire Council in whilst it is still developing a neighbourhood development plan earlier in the week. There are concerns that the Government’s actions could lead to inappropriate development could be forced on the county.
It also comes in the wake of months of scandals at Yorkshire Water, who are responsible for water quality in the River Nidd. In recent months, they have been fined for continued sewage discharges and criticised for poor handling of customer complaints, all whilst paying out a £371,000 bonus to their CEO and looking to hike customer bills by more than 40%.
Commenting, Tom said:
“I’m glad to have raised housing development and water quality today. We must get a handle on pollution in our rivers, and hold the water industry to account for their complete failures over the last few years, that have left so many people asking what they are paying their bills for.
“There is no reason why the Nidd cannot be clean and safe for people to swim in.
“The Government must also recognise that water quality will also be impacted by their new housing targets. Water quality mustn’t be a victim of the rush to build houses. Riding roughshod over local communities is simply unacceptable.
“I will continue to hold Yorkshire Water and the Government to account. After years of Conservative failure, we need urgent action to hold the water industry to account and make sure that our rivers and waterways are cleaned up.”
Councillor Hannah Gostlow added:
“It’s fantastic to have an MP who is taking action, and raising the Nidd’s water quality in Parliament. To hear the local community’s and my concerns in Parliament is brilliant, getting water quality high up on the agenda. We desperately need government action to make it safe for bathers and to allow wildlife to flourish.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the Environment Agency, Tom and other stakeholders to see water quality improve.”
ENDS
