New arrangements came into force (from April 2015), which strengthen the importance of sustainable drainage as a material consideration in planning decisions.
The local planning authority in consultation with the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) will make sure:
- that SuDS are used in major developments
- that SuDS provide wider benefits which include biodiversity, water quality, amenity and attenuation
- that developments aim to achieve greenfield run-off rates
- that the minimum standards of operation proposed by the applicant are appropriate
- through the use of planning conditions or planning obligations that there are clear arrangements in place for ongoing maintenance of the SuDS scheme over the lifetime of the development
All planning applications need a flood risk assessment and/or a drainage strategy as detailed in the West London SFRA, which will need to be supported by a completed SuDS/Drainage proforma.