Policy documents

This section collates a number of policy and regulatory documents relevant to the delivery of sustainable drainage. If you're aware of other documents that should be included please contact Louise .

 

The policy and regulatory documents are broken down into jurisdictions:

 

 

 

 

United Kingdom

 

Neighbourhood planning 2012 

Neighbourhood planning is a new right for communities introduced through the Localism Act 2011.

Click here for more information

 

Localism Act 2011 

The Localism Act was enforced to shift power from central government back into the hands of individuals, communities and councils.

Click here for more information  

 

Natural Environment White Paper 2011 

The Natural Environment White Paper outlines the Government’s vision for the natural environment until 2051, backed up with practical actions.

Click here for more information

 

Water White Paper 2011 

Effectively called Water for Life, the Water White Paper outlines a vision for future water management.

Click here for more information  

 

Code for Sustainable Homes – Setting the Standard in Sustainability for New Homes 2008 

Code for Sustainable Homes is the National Standard for the sustainable design and construction of new homes and sets out the assessment process and the performance standards required for the Code.

Click here for more information

 

Go to top

 

England and Wales



The review for implementation of Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act (2010)
January 2023

Recommendations to implement Schedule 3 and include good practice SuDS within all new development in England.

Click here for more information



Silts and SuDS 
2011 

Silts and SuDS is a regulatory position statement on the deposit and dewatering of non-hazardous silts from SuDS on land.

Click here for more information

 

Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010 

The EP Regulations have combined both the Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) and Waste Management Licensing (WML) regulations.

Click here for more information

 

Flood and Water Management Act 2010 

The Flood and Water Management Act provides comprehensive management of flood risk for people, homes and businesses.

Click here for more information

 

Flood Risk Regulations 2009 

The Flood Risk Regulations place a duty on the EA and LLFA to prepare a number of documents including Preliminary Flood Risk Assessments, Flood hazard and risk maps, and Flood Risk Management Plans in relation to provisions set by the European Floods Directive.

Click here for more information

 

Model agreement #1 - Planning obligation incorporating SuDS provisions 2008 

Model agreement based on 2008 legislation for the implementation and maintenance of SuDS either as a planning obligation under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1990 or as a condition attached to planning permission.

Click here for more information

 

Model agreement #2 – SuDS maintenance framework agreement 2008 

Model agreement based on 2008 legislation for a legal framework that defines which body takes over and maintains the SuDS.

Click here for more information

 

Model agreement #3 – Model discharge agreement 2008 

Model agreement based on 2008 legislation for owners of SuDS facilities granting sewerage undertakers rights in perpetuity to discharge, flood and maintain in default.

Click here for more information

 

Code for Sustainable Homes – Technical Guidance 2008 

This technical guidance sets out the requirements for the Code for Sustainable Homes. It sets out the process by which a Code assessment is reached.

Click here for more information

 

Permitted Development Rights 2008 

Household owners have the right to implement permeable paving for their front gardens without the need to apply for permission. As a result the Environment Agency provided guidance on permeable surfacing of front gardens.

Click here for more information

 

Sewers for Adoption – 6th Edition 2006 

Sewer for Adoption contains detailed requirements for lateral drains and SuDS so they can be offered for adoption.

Click here for more information

 

Sustainable and Secure Building Act 2004 

The Sustainable and Secure Building Act amends and improves previous legislation by introducing objectives related to sustainable development, conservation of energy and management of water in buildings.

Click here for more information

 

Building Regulations Part H 2002 

Building Regulations apply in England & Wales and promote standards for most aspects of a building's construction.

Click here for more information

 

The Groundwater Regulations 1998

The Groundwater Regulations complete the implementation of the Groundwater Directive for England, Wales and Scotland. It supplements regulation 15 of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 and existing water pollution legislation.

Click here for more information

 

Environment Act 1995 

The Environment Act set up the Environment Agency (EA) in England and Wales and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in Scotland, to protect the environment and manage resources.

Click here for more information

 

Land Drainage Act 1994 

The Land Drainage Act consolidates previous enactments relating to internal drainage boards, and to the functions of such boards and of local authorities in relation to land drainage.

Click here for more information

 

Water Industry Act 1991 

The Water Industry Act consolidates previous enactments relating to the water supply and the provision of wastewater services in England and Wales.

Click here for more information

 

Water Resources Act 1991 

The Water Resources Act provides regulations related to water resources, water quality & pollution, and flood defence.

Click here for more information

 

New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 

The New Roads and Street Works Act provides a legislative framework for street works by undertakers (including utility companies) and works for road purposes.

Click here for more information

 

Town and Country Planning Act 1990

The Town and Country Planning Act provides a local planning authority (LPA) with the power, in certain circumstances, to take steps requiring land to be cleaned up when its condition adversely affects the amenity of the area.

Click here for more information

 

Environment Protection Act 1990 

The Environment Protection Act brings in a system of integrated pollution control for the disposal of wastes to land, water and air.

Click here for more information 

 

Water Act 1989 

The Water Act effectively privatised ten water authorities in England and Wales, and with it the transfer of river functions to the National River Authority, which was eventually subsumed within the Environment Agency.

Click here for more information

 

Highways Act 1980 

The Highways Act details the management and operation of the road networks in England and Wales.

Click here for more information

 

Go to top

 

England



NEW! EA: Peak rainfall update to ‘Flood risk assessments: climate change allowances’


On 10th May 2022 the peak rainfall flow allowances in ‘Flood risk assessments: climate change allowances’ were updated so they reflect the latest projections in UKCP Local (2.2km) and subsequent research ‘FUTURE-DRAINAGE: Ensemble climate change rainfall estimates for sustainable drainage’

 

The main changes are as follows:

  • Peak rainfall allowances are provided for ‘management catchments’ rather than a set of single national allowances for England.
  • The 1% and the 3.3% annual exceedance probability events are covered.
  • Two epochs are provided rather than three as previously – the ‘2050s’ and ‘2070s’. 2050s epoch should be used for development with a lifetime up to2060 and 2070s for development with a lifetime between 2061 to 2125 respectively.
  • Central and upper end allowances are provided as previously, but there is a focus on using the central allowance for development with a lifetime to 2100 and the upper end for development with a lifetime to 2125. 

 

Download the full press release for more information




NEW! Defra: Assessment of How Strategic Surface Water Management Informs Sustainable Drainage Systems (Suds) Delivery in Developed Areas Through Spatial Planning and Development Management (WT15125)
2021

 

Climate change and development activity is making surface water management a growing challenge. Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) that are incorporated into developments can provide effective drainage as well as mitigating against new flood risk and providing an opportunity to address existing flood risk. Strategic scale studies and strategies can be used to inform planning policy requirements for SuDS.

 

The aim was to investigate the potential that strategic (catchment or sub-catchment) surface water management can contribute to inform the delivery of Sustainable urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) through the planning system, with the objective to:

 

∙ Review the effectiveness of current strategic surface water management plans in defining requirements for SuDS

∙ Describe advantages/disadvantages and barriers/opportunities for using strategic surface water management plans more effectively to define local planning authority SuDS requirements

∙ Suggest how barriers might be overcome 

 

The research identified a number of areas of improvement and presented 30 conclusions for the government to consider.

 

Documents available here



NEW! Defra: Recommendations to update the English Non-Statutory Technical Standards for SuDS (WT15122) 2021

 

The aim of this research project was to report whether updating the current Non-Statutory Technical Standards (NSTS) could help provide for multiple benefit sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), and if so, what those updates should be. Based on the findings from this research, recommendations have been made to replace the current standards 1 to 6 with a new suite of six standards. The new standards cover the following:

 

∙ Standard 1: Runoff destinations

∙ Standard 2: Everyday rainfall

∙ Standard 3: Extreme rainfall

∙ Standard 4: Water quality

∙ Standard 5: Amenity

∙ Standard 6: Biodiversity

Each standard is accompanied by a set of clarifications that provide guidelines to support the interpretation, delivery and evaluation of the standard.

 

Documents available here




English SuDS policy
2015
A DCLG Written Ministerial Statement altering the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) expecting SuDS to be considered where appropriate for major developments.


The NPPF Practice Guide has been updated to provide further clarification on managing flood risk and securing SuDS.


Non-statutory technical standards for the design, maintenance and operation of SuDS have been produced by Defra. Specific guidance around these non-statutory technical standards is being produced.


Defra Statement of Obligations 2012

The document describes the Government's understanding of the main environmental statutory obligations that apply in particular to water and sewerage undertakers over the Price Review period 2015-2020.

Click here for more information 

 

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2012 

The National Planning Policy Framework set out the Government’s planning policies for England.

Click here for more information 

 

Technical Guidance to the National Planning Policy Framework 2012 

The Technical Guidance to the National Planning Policy Framework ensures local planning authorities can effectively implement the planning policy.

Click here for more information

 

National Standards for Sustainable Drainage 2011 

The National Standards for Sustainable Drainage presents Defra’s proposals and sought views on implementation requirements for sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) in new and redeveloped sites in England.

Click here for more information

 

Tackling Diffuse Water Pollution in England 2010 

The Tackling Diffuse Water Pollution in England report examined the Environment Agency’s progression in tackling diffuse pollution. 

Click here for more information

 

Flood Risk Management in England 2010 

The Flood Risk Management in England report examined the progress made since 2007 in strengthening flood risk management in England.

Click here for more information

 

Future Water 2008 

Future Water sets out the Government’s plans for water in the future as well as the practical steps that need to be taken to ensure that good clean water is available for people, businesses and nature.

Click here for more information

 

Pitt Review 2007

The Pitt Review is an independent review of the flooding emergency that took place in June and July 2007.

Click here for more information

 

 

Go to top

 

Wales

 

Recommended non-statutory standards for sustainable drainage in Wales 2016
The Welsh government has published standards and guidance for SuDS serving new developments in Wales.
Click here for more information

Planning Policy Wales – 4th Edition
 2011 

Planning Policy Wales provides a framework for the effective preparation of the local planning authorities’ development plans and sets out land use planning.

Click here for more information

 

The Wales Spatial Plan 2008 

The Wales Spatial Plan is the overarching framework and integration tool for Wales.

Click here for more information

 

Tan 15: Development and Flood Risk 2004 

Technical Advice Note (TAN) 15 provides technical guidance which supplements the policy set out in Planning Policy Wales in relation to development and flooding.

Click here for more information

 

Tan5: Nature conservation and planning 2004 

Technical Advice Note (TAN) 5 provides technical guidance which supplements the policy set out in Planning Policy Wales in relation to nature conservation and planning.

Click here for more information

 

Go to top

 

Scotland

 

NEW! SEPA: Climate change allowances for flood risk assessment in land use planning 2022

SEPA’s new guidance sets out recommended allowances for climate change that can be used for flood risk assessment. It replaces Version 1 of the guidance published in 2019.

This guidance allows planning authorities in Scotland to underpin their land use planning decisions with the best evidence available. It will be updated to take on board feedback from users and as the evidence on climate science evolves.

The update can be viewed here

https://www.sepa.org.uk/media/594168/climate-change-guidance.pdf

Considering climate change adaptation in land use planning is essential: an early understanding of potential future impacts reduces risk associated with long term investment decisions. This guidance should therefore be of particular interest to planning authorities in considering the implications of flood risk in planning decisions.

National planning policy promotes a precautionary approach to flood risk, taking account of the predicted effects of climate change. This guidance helps planning authorities and others involved in the assessment of flood risk implement this approach.

It should be noted that reference is made in the update to the possibility of using the peak rainfall allowances for the design of surface water management infrastructure.

The 2021 FUTURE-DRAINAGE project provides the most recent analysis of predicted increase inrainfall intensity due to climate change, based upon the UK Climate Projections 2018 (UKCP18).




Water resilient places - surface water management and blue-green infrastructure policy framework 
2021 

This paper outlines how surface water is currently managed in Scotland, sets out a vision for the future and describes the components that should be brought together to form a coherent framework that will support delivery of water resilient places.

Click here for more information

 

SEPA Regulatory Method 2019 

The SEPA Regulatory Method (WAT-RM-08) for Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems provides guidance on the regulation of surface water discharges from built developments including construction sites, buildings, roads and yards.

Click here for more information

 

Sewers for Scotland – 4th edition 2018 

Sewers for Scotland is a design and construction guide aimed at all developers and consultants who plan to undertake developments of any size in Scotland.

Click here for more information


Water assessment and drainage assement guide 2016
Document produced by the Sustainable Urban Drainage Scottish Working Part (SUDSWP) to provide advice on water supply and SuDS infrastructure for new developments.
Click here for information

Building a Hydro Nation 2010 

This consultation document sets the initial scene for proposed legislation with regard to Scotland building a hydro nation, by exploring ideas and opportunities.

Click here for more information

 

Scottish Planning Policy 2010 

The Scottish Planning Policy is a statement of the Scottish Government’s strategy on nationally important land use planning matters.

Click here for more information

 

Designing Places 2010 

Designing Places sets out the policy context for important areas of planning policy, design guidance, professional practice, and education and training.

Click here for more information

 

Designing Streets 2010 

Designing Streets sits alongside Designing Places and is a policy statement for street design emphasising that guidance on street design should move toward place-making and away from a system focused upon the dominance of motor vehicles.

Click here for more information

 

National Planning Framework 2009 

The National Planning Framework plays a key role in co-ordinating policies with a spatial dimension whilst aligning strategic investment priorities.

Click here for more information

 

Flood Risk Management Act 2009 

The Flood Risk Management Act develops a sustainable and modern approach to flood risk management, suited to the needs of the 21st century and to the impact of climate change.

Click here for more information

 

Planning Advice Note 69: Planning and Building Standards Advice on Flooding 2004 

PAN 69 provides good practice advice on planning and building standards in areas where there is a risk of flooding.

Click here for more information

 

Water Environment & Water Services Act 2003 

The Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 is the enabling act for the European Water Framework Directive.

Click here for more information

 

Building Act 2003 

The Building Act provides for approved designers and approved persons or bodies involved in the construction process to certify that elements of a building do or will comply with building regulations.

Click here for more information

 

Town and Country Planning 1997 

The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 is the principal piece of legislation governing the use and development of land within Scotland

Click here for more information 

 

Go to top

 

Northern Ireland

 
Sustainable Drainage Systems - Advice for planning applicants seeking planning permission on the use of SuDS in new developments 2016

This is a short standing advice note for developers seeking planning permission.
Click here for more information


The Water and Sewerage Services Act (Northern Ireland)
2016
Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Act relate to SuDS, and withdrawing the automatic right of connection.
Click here for more information


The Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 
2012

Environmental Impact Assessment is a method of ensuring that the likely effects of a new development on the environment are fully understood and taken into account before consent is given for the development to proceed.,

Click here for more information 

 

Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

An Act to make provision about biodiversity; to amend the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 and Part 4 of the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002

Click here for more information 

 

PPS 15: Planning and Flood Risk 2006

PPS 15 ‘Planning and Flood Risk’ sets out the Department’s planning policies to minimise flood risk to people, property and the environment.

Click here for more information 

 

PPS 15: Planning and Flood Risk: Annex C Sustainable Drainage Systems 2006

PPS 15 Annex relating to SuDS use in Northern Ireland

Click here for more information

 

The Planning (Use Classes) Order (Northern Ireland) 2004

There are three key pieces of planning legislation which control the development and use of land in Northern Ireland.

Click here for more information 

 

The Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991

The Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 ("the 1991 Order") requires the Department to formulate and co-ordinate policy for securing the orderly and consistent development of land and the planning of that development.

Click here for more information 

 

Go to top 

European

 

Floods Directive 2007 

The Floods Directive aims to reduce and manage the risks that floods pose to human health, the environment, cultural heritage and the economy.

Click here for more information 

 

Water Pollution by Discharges of Certain Dangerous Substances 2006 

This Directive introduced the concepts of list I & II substances whilst the purpose of the Directive is to advise on how to eliminate pollution from list I substances and to reduce pollution from list II substances.

Click here for more information

 

Groundwater Directive 2006 

The Groundwater Directive establishes a regime which sets underground water quality standards and introduces measures to prevent or limit inputs of pollutants into groundwater. Water Framework Directive 2000 The Water Framework Directive helps to protect and enhance the quality of all water bodies within the European Union.

Click here for more information

 

Habitats Directive 1992 

The Habitats Directive forms part of a cornerstone of Europe's nature conservation policy.

Click here for more information

 

Urban Waste Water Directive 1991 

The Urban Waste Water Directive concerns urban waste-water particularly the collection, treatment and discharge of domestic waste water, mixtures of waste water and waste water from certain industrial sectors.

Click here for more information

 

Bathing Water Directive 1976 

The Bathing Water Directive concerns the quality of bathing water in the Member States of the European Union.

Click here for more information

 

Go to top

On 10th May 2022 the peak rainfall flow allowances in ‘Flood risk assessments: climate change allowances’ were updated so they reflect the latest projections in UKCP Local (2.2km)[1] and subsequent research ‘FUTURE-DRAINAGE: Ensemble climate change rainfall estimates for sustainable drainage’[2] (referred to as ‘FUTURE-DRAINAGE herein)
Our Partners
Our Supporters