Drainage Strategy Planning Reports
Flood & Civil develop drainage strategies to meet the planning criteria set out within the National and Local Planning Guidance.
Obtaining planning permission is a key milestone in any project and for most developments a compliant drainage strategy is a vital step towards approval. We have a vast knowledge of the planning system in relation to drainage, flood risk and SuDS and can work with you to design a system which fully integrates with the landscape, compliments the site architecture, and benefits the environment whilst meeting the planning requirements.
When is a sustainable drainage strategy required for planning?
A sustainable drainage strategy report is required where sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are required in accordance with paragraph 182 of the updated December 2024 National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which states:
Applications which could affect drainage on or around the site should incorporate sustainable drainage systems to control flow rates and reduce volumes of runoff, and which are proportionate to the nature and scale of the proposal. These should provide multifunctional benefits wherever possible, through facilitating improvements in water quality and biodiversity, as well as benefits for amenity.
This means a sustainable drainage strategy containing proportionate information on the SuDS proposed should be submitted as part of the planning application (including outline planning applications) for all developments.
The updated NPPF makes it clear that all developments which could 'affect drainage on or around the site' require the incorporation of SuDS, whereas the previous version of the NPPF specified SuDS should be provided for 'major developments'. Based on the updated NPPF and our industry experience, Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) and Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) are now requesting a sustainable drainage strategy be provided for all applications, including minor applications and householder applications, especially where the site is in a flood zone, area of high surface water flood risk, a critical drainage area, or where impermeable areas are being increased as part of the development.
To reduce delays in the planning process, we recommend engaging with the LPA and LLFA to determine their requirements early on. If you're not sure, get in touch. We have produced SuDS reports for various LLFAs and local councils on their own developments and act on behalf of LPAs reviewing sustainable drainage strategy reports as their expert consultants in this field. We can help you determine when a sustainable drainage strategy is required and the level of information which needs to be provided based on the development you are proposing.
The Government's updated NPPF can be viewed here and more information is provided on sustainable drainage systems and the typical information which needs to be submitted with a planning application in the Planning Practice Guidance on flood risk and coastal change here.
Further design guidance is available here in the new National Standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and is intended for application in the design of surface water drainage systems for new infrastructure and development.