Explanatory note

This Order amends the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1988 (the 1988 Order). Under the Water Act 1989 (c. 15) the functions of water authorities are transferred to the National Rivers Authority and water and sewerage undertakers. This Order therefore makes the National Rivers Authority the consultee for the purposes of article 18 of the 1988 Order (consultations before the grant of planning permission) rather than the water authority concerned (article 2(2)) and transfers the permitted development rights of water authorities to the National Rivers Authority and the water and sewerage undertakers (article 2(1), (3), (4) and (5)). It also makes some minor consequential drafting amendments.