SuDS set to be introduced for all major developments

The government is set to make the implementation of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) mandatory for all major housing and commercial developments.

In a government response to a consultation on a proposal to make better use of the planning system to secure SuDS, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) said SuDS will need to be included as part of the management of surface water run-off in new developments of 10 houses or more (or non-residential equivalent).

However, for “minor developments” (of nine or less houses) drainage issues will continue to be “subject to existing planning policy”.

The government also stated that an enduring maintenance plan “must be guaranteed” and that developers “would be free to choose from a suite of different maintenance options”.

This includes the options for local authorities to charge for maintenance at cost recovery only, or for water companies to include the cost of SuDS either within their ordinary charging scheme or to offer its services as a service management company.

In situations where the cost of ongoing maintenance “would impair the delivery of the development”, the government says the implementation of SuDS would “not be appropriate”.

The communities secretary Eric Pickles said: “The government’s expectation is that sustainable drainage systems will be provided in new developments wherever this is appropriate.”

He added that SuDS systems should also be designed so their operational and maintenance requirements and costs are “economically proportionate”.

This change will take effect from 6 April 2015 but the government said it will keep this new approach under review, and consider the need to make adjustments “where necessary”.