SuDS guidance

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) offer a nature-based approach to solving drainage issues. They mitigate the effects of rainfall by incorporating grassed and other permeable surfaces, creating rain gardens, or constructing attenuation ponds to decrease the likelihood of surface water or river flooding. These systems capture excess rainfall and gradually filter it into the ground.

Currently, new developments can exacerbate surface and sewer flood risk by covering permeable areas such as grasslands and soil, which would normally help absorb heavy rainfall.

Sustainable drainage systems offer numerous advantages, including mitigating flood risk by capturing and storing excess water, reducing storm overflow discharges, enhancing local ecosystems within our developments, and facilitating the collection of valuable rainwater.

However, to fully realise these benefits, SuDS must be designed, constructed, adopted, and maintained according to national standards throughout the entire lifespan of a development.

Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) became mandatory in 2024, following an announcement by the UK government on 30 January 2023. This decision enforces Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, requiring SuDS in new developments in England. The move comes after a review by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Flooding, aggravated by climate change, urban development, and overloaded existing drainage systems, poses a growing risk. However, the implementation of SuDS can effectively manage this threat.

Some key features of the proposed changes include:

1. SuDS will have to be incorporated into new developments in England.
2. Applications for the approval of SuDS on new developments that meet the criteria will have to be made to a SuDS Approving Body, or “SAB”, which will sit within the Council.
3. SAB approval will be separate from the Local Planning Authority approval.
4. SAB approval could be subject to conditions and may require a non-performance bond.
5. Construction works covering an area of under 100 sqm or single properties will be exempt.  Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects will also be exempt.
6. Applications for approval could be made to the SAB directly or through the Council combined with the planning application. A fee will be payable and there will be rights of appeal against refusal.