SuDS consultation
On 18 December 2014, the government published their response to the consultation on sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS).
This made clear that from April 6 2015, planning authorities will be given authority for approving SuDS, and not SuDS Approval Bodies (SABs) as had previously been suggested.
Local planning policies and decisions on planning applications will be expected to ensure that sustainable drainage systems for the management of run-off are put in place, unless they can be demonstrated to be inappropriate. However, a threshold of 10 dwellings or more; or equivalent non-residential or mixed development (as set out in Article 2(1) of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2010) will apply. This has been criticised for leaving nine out of 10 developments at risk of flooding.
The requirement set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that all new developments in areas at risk of flooding should give priority to the use of sustainable drainage systems will continue to apply.
Local planning authorities must consult the relevant lead local flood authority when considering proposals, and can use planning conditions or planning obligations to ensure there are clear arrangements in place for ongoing maintenance.
The Department for Communities and Local Government has also consulted on a proposal to make lead local flood authorities a statutory consultee on planning applications for surface water management, and to make changes to the statutory consultee role of the Environment Agency. See Planning application process: statutory consultee arrangements. This consultation closed on 29 January 2015.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Catchment flood management plans.
- Flood and Water Management Act.
- Pitt Review.
- Rainwater harvesting.
- Sustainable urban drainage systems SUDS.
- The SUDS manual.
- Water consumption.
- Water engineering.
[edit] External references
- WWT Communities left with flood risk after nine out of 10 developments exempted from SuDS.
- Gov.uk Consultation outcome. Sustainable Drainage Systems: changes to the planning system.
- The Community Secretary’s Written Statement to Parliament.
Featured articles and news
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.
A brief run down of changes intentions from April in an onwards.
Reslating an ancient water mill
A rare opportunity to record, study and repair early vernacular roofs.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2025/26
Construction apprentice from Lincoln Mia Owen wins this years title.
Insulation solutions with less waste for a circular economy
Rob Firman, Technical and Specification Manager, Polyfoam XPS explains.
Recycled waste plastic in construction
Hierarchy, prevention to disposal, plastic types and approaches.
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard V1 published
Free-to-access technical standard to enable robust proof of a decarbonising built environment.