Carlisle District Local Plan.indd - Carlisle City Council

Carlisle District Local Plan 2001 - 2016 Revised Redeposit draftsuch provision is possible planning conditions may need to be imposed to ensure thatsuitable arrangements are in place for this service. New developments will need to belocated and designed so that they will minimise or eliminate the environmental impact ofadditional demand, thus making a contribution to sustainable development. The widereffects of an increased demand as a result of development will need to be consideredtogether with the availability of resources.3.47 Climate change could affect both the demand for water and its availability. Householdwater use is expected to rise in hotter summers. Changes in climate will also affectgroundwater resources and river regimes, which will influence the availability of water forabstraction. Hotter temperatures will mean that potential evaporation rates will probablyincrease. There is evidence that rainfall will become more variable, with more dry years aswell as more wet years.3.48 Groundwater resources are an invaluable source of water for public supply, industry andagriculture, as well as sustaining the base flows of rivers. The Permo-Triassic SherwoodSandstone formation comprises a major aquifer in the District together with abstractionsfrom the Rivers Eden and Gelt. These sources are under pressure from excessive extractionand from pollution and once polluted they are difficult to rehabilitate leading to a long termdeterioration in the quality of the receiving watercourse. Recent samples of main river waterquality from the District’s Rivers Eden, Caldew, Roe, Petteril and Lyne have recorded verygood/good classifications, while the Esk was recorded as very good. Demand for water isincreasing as a result of growth of population and industrial/commercial activity. Modernhouse designs now include many labour- saving devices which expend large volumes ofwater, examples being automatic washing machines, dishwashers and power showers.Initiatives that result in water re-use and conservation will be encouraged.3.49 The Environment Agency has statutory responsibility for managing water resources andhas developed a strategy for the proper management and protection of the groundwaterresource (‘Policy and Practice for the Protection of Groundwater’ Environment Agency 1998).This will be used as a guide to determine the suitability of developments in relation togroundwater impact. It has also established Source Protection Zones for public water supplyand other human consumption uses.POLICY CP11 Foul and Surface Water Sewerage and Sewage TreatmentDevelopment will not be permitted where inadequate foul and surface water sewerageinfrastructure exists, or where such provision can not be made within the time constraintof the planning permission.Could be strengthened by identifying the need for the capacity of sewerage systems tobe assessed with regard to new development as inadequate supply could increase therisk of flooding. (Reference to inadequate in the policy implies that an assessment willbe required when proposals are considered)3.50 The quality of groundwater and surface waters and associated water-based recreation,fisheries and nature conservation must be protected against the risk of pollution from theinadequate provision of foul and surface water sewerage and sewage treatment facilities.Development proposals which necessitate the use of septic tanks and sewage treatmentSeptember 2006 39