Planning authorities will set a limit to the rate of stormwater flow from a site via sewers as a condition of planning consent. In recognition of this, Local Plans increasingly state that all Applications should, in the first instance, aim to incorporate SUDS into development proposals.
SUDS are also considered suitable for mitigating adverse impacts and supporting water conservation objectives. SUDS incorporate cost-effective techniques that are applicable to a wide range of schemes, from small developments to major residential, leisure, commercial or industrial operations with large roof spaces and large hardstanding areas. They can also be successfully retrofitted to existing developments.
Planning policy guidance on development and flood risk emphasises the role of SUDS and introduces a general presumption that they will be used. As with other key considerations in the planning process - transport, landscape, heritage and nature conservation - incorporating SUDS needs to be considered early in the site evaluation and planning process, as well as at the detailed design stage.