Standard content for Members only
To continue reading this article, please login to your Utility Week account, Start 14 day trial or Become a member.
If your organisation already has a corporate membership and you haven’t activated it simply follow the register link below. Check here.
Defra has delayed the compulsory legislation for the implementation of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in England and Wales.
SuDs are seen as an environmentally-friendly way of reducing the risk of flash flooding, which is an increasing concern following the UK’s wettest winter on record. They replicate natural systems to drain away surface water run-off as opposed to concrete, slowly releasing water back into the environment.
Stakeholders involved in consultations with Defra have been sent a letter ruling that Local Authority Suds Approving Bodies (SABS) will not be able to approve Suds schemes on new developments from October 2014, as originally planned.
Instead Defra said it will make a statement in the summer which will set out in “greater detail” its plans for the implementation of Suds.
Defra said: “The Government remains committed to implementing Suds at the earliest available opportunity, but not in a way that affects development. While several departments are working hard on this, it has become clear that we will not be in a position to implement Schedule 3 from October 2014, as we had hoped.”
BWB Consulting said: “The unfortunate announcement means the drainage of new development will continue to be a regional lottery with some areas adopting Suds and some refusing to even consider adoption. Couple this with planning policy which demands Suds are included and we are left with developments that will have drainage infrastructure with no long term management.”
Please login or Register to leave a comment.