How can site plans comply with the SuDS standards and guidance in different regions?

1 SuDS standards in England

In England, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) set out the policy and principles for SuDS in new and redeveloped sites. The NPPF states that SuDS should be incorporated in all major developments, unless there is clear evidence that they would be inappropriate. The PPG provides more detailed guidance on how to design, construct, and maintain SuDS, as well as how to assess their performance and effectiveness. The PPG also refers to the non-statutory SuDS standards, which were developed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in 2015. These standards specify the criteria for the design of SuDS, such as runoff volume and quality, amenity, and biodiversity. Site plans should demonstrate how they comply with these standards, as well as the local planning policies and strategies for SuDS.

2 SuDS standards in Scotland

In Scotland, the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) Regulations 2011 (CAR) and the Planning Advice Note 61 (PAN 61) provide the legal and policy framework for SuDS in new and redeveloped sites. The CAR requires that SuDS are used for all surface water drainage from new developments, unless there is a specific exemption. The CAR also sets out the general binding rules and the licensing regime for SuDS, depending on the size and type of the development. The PAN 61 provides more practical guidance on how to design, construct, and maintain SuDS, as well as how to integrate them with the landscape and the built environment. The PAN 61 also refers to the Sewers for Scotland 4th edition, which is a technical manual for the design and adoption of SuDS by Scottish Water. Site plans should demonstrate how they comply with these regulations and guidance, as well as the local development plans and supplementary guidance for SuDS.

3 SuDS standards in Wales

In Wales, the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (FWMA) and the Statutory Standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems 2018 (SSS) provide the legal and policy framework for SuDS in new and redeveloped sites. The FWMA requires that SuDS are used for all surface water drainage from new developments of more than one dwelling or where the construction area is 100 square metres or more, unless there is a specific exemption. The FWMA also establishes the SuDS Approving Bodies (SABs), which are responsible for approving and adopting SuDS in their areas. The SSS set out the criteria for the design of SuDS, such as runoff volume and quality, amenity, and biodiversity. Site plans should demonstrate how they comply with these standards, as well as the local planning policies and strategies for SuDS.

4 SuDS standards in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, the Planning Policy Statement 15 (PPS 15) and the Development Control Advice Note 15 (DCAN 15) provide the policy and guidance for SuDS in new and redeveloped sites. The PPS 15 states that SuDS should be considered as the first option for surface water drainage from new developments, unless there is a specific reason why they are not feasible or practicable. The DCAN 15 provides more technical guidance on how to design, construct, and maintain SuDS, as well as how to assess their performance and effectiveness. The DCAN 15 also refers to the Sewers for Adoption Northern Ireland 2nd edition, which is a technical manual for the design and adoption of SuDS by Northern Ireland Water. Site plans should demonstrate how they comply with these policy and guidance, as well as the local development plans and supplementary planning guidance for SuDS.