Multi-scale water resources planning in England

Abstract

Water resources planning in England is undergoing a significant transformation to address growing challenges posed by climate change, population growth, and environmental pressures. Historically fragmented and company-specific, the planning framework has evolved towards a more multi-scale governance approach with the addition of national, and regional planning tiers. Operating within strict economic and legal constraints, though not legislated for itself, the introduction of England’s National Framework for Water Resources in 2020 marked a major step toward overcoming company-boundary limitations by fostering regional and national coordination. This study highlights both the successes of the emerging multi-scale governance model, alongside difficulties linked to misalignments and gaps in the framework. By analysing England’s 2020-2024 water resource planning cycle through qualitative analysis, including semi-structured interviews with industry practitioners, document reviews, and embedded research in planning groups, this research critically examines how historical pathway dependencies have characterised the development of the new arrangements, the embryonic role of strategic coordination, and the balance between granularity and trust in water modelling. A key tension in water planning lies in the complexity of modelling approaches used to justify investment decisions. The proliferation of models, ranging from climate and hydrological simulations to econometric forecasting, creates challenges in transparency and decision-making, leading to doubt in the robustness of planning outcomes. Adaptive governance, and greater interdisciplinary collaboration can improve trust and clarity in decision outputs. Enhancing coordination and adaptive governance will be crucial for ensuring long-term water resilience. Key recommendations include the establishment of a national coordination office, improved regulatory alignment, and a commitment to open and iterative learning. Ultimately, bridging science, governance, and resilience can create a more robust and transparent future for water resource management in England.