In a move to tackle water pollution and protect communities from
flooding, the government is updating the national standards for
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) for the first time in a
decade.
The new standards – welcomed by the construction industry - will
give developers clearer guidance on how to create rainwater
management systems that mimic the natural environment and
deliver better outcomes.
Suggested features include spaces designed to collect and filter
rainwater, which will relieve pressure on our crumbling sewage
system and prevent pollution overflowing into our
waterways.
Impermeable surfaces such as roads and pavements increase the
risk of flooding in heavy downpours, as the excess water has
nowhere to go. By introducing materials designed to soak up
water, new developments will be better protected against
flooding.
The new standards will also encourage design features like green
roofs and soakaways. These provide a place for nature to thrive
and improve a building's energy efficiency –reducing energy
bills, bringing mental and physical health benefits to
communities by expanding access to nature and supporting
wildlife.
The updated standards signify the government's ambition to build
1.5 million homes sustainably without delaying the planning
process and comes following the record £104 billion secured
from private sector investment to clean up our rivers, lakes and
seas.
Water Minister said:
The Government will introduce new standards to tackle water
pollution, protect communities from flooding and make our new
towns beautiful.
Nature recovery and growth can go hand in hand, and these new
standards will enable the sustainable building of 1.5 million
homes as part of the Plan for Change.
Key features of the new standards include:
- Reducing flood risk by actively managing surface
water on site
- Improving water quality before it enters rivers and
streams
- Provide community benefits by creating more
attractive and resilient places to live and work
- Prioritising solutions that enhance
biodiversity and green space
- Encouraging water efficiency, by enabling the reuse of
rainwater through harvesting and collection systems
- Emphasising long-term maintenance and
performance
To support the government's Plan for Change, the updated
standards are aligned with the National Planning Policy Framework
and will complement wider planning reforms which will take
place later this year. Developers are encouraged to innovate
and demonstrate how their systems meet the outcomes, rather than
follow a one-size-fits-all checklist.
