All new development of 10 dwellings or more and major commercial development, car parks and hard standings will incorporate Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDs) appropriate to the nature of the site. Such systems shall provide optimum water runoff rates and volumes taking into account relevant local or national standards and the impact of the Water Framework Directive on flood risk issues, unless it can be clearly demonstrated that they are impracticable.

SuDs design quality will be expected to reflect the up-to-date standards encompassed in the relevant BRE and CIRIA standards, Essex County Council SuDs Design Guide (as updated) and Non-Statutory Technical Standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems, to the satisfaction of the Lead Local Flood Authority.

Large development areas with a number of new allocations will be required to develop a strategy for providing a joint SuDs scheme.

Surface water should be managed as close to its source as possible and on the surface where practicable to do so. Measures such as rain water recycling, green roofs, water butts and permeable surfaces will be encouraged incorporating measures to prevent pollution where appropriate.

Only where there is a significant risk of pollution to the water environment, inappropriate soil conditions and/or engineering difficulties, should alternative methods of drainage be considered. If alternative methods are to be considered, adequate assessment and justification should be provided and consideration should still be given to pre and post runoff rates.

SuDS design should be an integral part of the layout and clear details of proposed SuDS together with how they will be managed and maintained will be required as part of any planning application. Only proposals which clearly demonstrate that a satisfactory SuDs layout with appropriate maintenance is possible, or compelling justification as to why SuDs should not be incorporated into a scheme, or are unviable, are likely to be successful. Contributions in the form of commuted sums may be sought in legal agreements to ensure that the drainage systems can be adequately maintained into the future. The SuD system should be designed to ensure that the maintenance and operation requirements are economically proportionate.

The dual use of land for Sustainable Urban Drainage and Open Space can be supported where neither use is compromised by the other. It may be supported in circumstances where land is safely usable by the public as open space, and where use as open space does not compromise the efficient and effective functioning of the SuDs in the short or longer term.

For more information, please visit Braintree District Council’s Local Plan here.