> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Motion on water companies and planning withdrawn at East Suffolk - URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/motion-on-water-companies-and-planning-withdrawn-at-east-suffolk/ - Published: 2026-09-24T07:27:19.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-24T07:35:56.000Z - Description: A motion calling for Essex & Suffolk Water and Anglian Water to be made statutory consultees on planning applications was withdrawn at East Suffolk Full Council on Wednesday, 23 September, after councillors from across the chamber said they would not support it. - Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams - Tags: News, East Suffolk Council, Planning & Licensing **Why it matters:** Neither water company currently has to be formally consulted on planning applications in East Suffolk, including Martlesham, Rushmere, and other communities around Ipswich, despite the motion describing increasing pressure on water resources and wastewater infrastructure from major development. **The details:** The motion, proposed by Cllr Julia Ewart and seconded by Cllr Amanda Folley, had been deferred from the previous Full Council meeting. It said the cumulative impact of major energy projects, including Sizewell C, strategic housing allocations and "significant speculative development" was placing increasing pressure on water resources and wastewater infrastructure in a district "already recognised as being under serious water stress". It described the absence of either water company as a statutory consultee as "a significant gap in the planning process". The motion asked the council to: - Have the leader write to the housing secretary seeking a change in the law to make both water companies statutory consultees. - Write to the Local Government Association, the District Councils' Network and Suffolk's MPs seeking their support. - Ask Cabinet for an immediate review, so both companies are routinely consulted on all major and strategic planning applications while any change to national law is pending. - Ask Cabinet to report back to Full Council within six months. **What they're saying:** Responding to the motion, Cllr Mark Packard said the government had again confirmed that water companies will not be made statutory consultees, so there was no point in pursuing that part of the motion. He said the companies are already routinely consulted on projects, that the issue is being reviewed as part of the new local plan, and that a water cycle study has been commissioned. He added that Anglian Water plans to provide water from two reservoirs and Essex & Suffolk Water is investing in schemes, and said he would not support the motion. One councillor said the issues were better addressed before applications arrived, and that existing guidance already set a high and trustworthy standard, arguing residents want infrastructure, including water, delivered before development rather than after. Another rejected the motion on the grounds that sewage treatment was a greater need than water supply. Cllr Paul Ashdown said he and his group would not support it. Cllr Gooch said that, because of a decision already made by the government and the wording of the motion, it would yield no positive results. She said she sympathised with its sentiment, and that she and her group would vote against it only because of decisions made by central government. **What's next:** Summing up, Cllr Ewart asked for diligence and withdrew the motion. No further council action on the proposal is planned as a result of Wednesday's meeting. **The bottom line:** Water companies remain outside East Suffolk's formal planning process for now, after councillors from multiple parties said a motion to change that would achieve nothing following decisions already made by central government. --- **Don't forget:** If you enjoy our content, please [add Ipswich.co.uk as a "preferred source" on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=ipswich.co.uk&ref=ipswich.co.uk) so you can easily find more of the content you value. [Add as a preferred source on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=ipswich.co.uk&ref=ipswich.co.uk) --- ### This article cost us \~£63 to produce It's free for you to read thanks to the generous support of our partners. Please support us by supporting them.