Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Recommendation 30
30
Deferred
Paragraph: 123
While the uptake of sustainable drainage systems has improved in recent years, we are concerned...
Recommendation
While the uptake of sustainable drainage systems has improved in recent years, we are concerned that the installation of high-quality SuDS features delivering multiple environmental benefits may still be insufficiently incentivised. The evidence we have received clearly shows that the non-statutory approach to promoting SuDS, coupled with the persistence of the automatic right to connect surface water drainage to the public sewer, is not working. The Government has not adequately explained why it believes the commencement of Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, which is widely supported, is the wrong approach, and we consider that the case should be re-examined. The Government, as part of its ambitious plans to manage flood risk, should commit to ending the automatic right to connect to the public sewer, and consult on measures to improve the uptake of high-quality SuDS features. This consultation must include a legislative option, commencing Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 or making equivalent statutory provision, along with a commitment to further consultation with local authorities on any new burdens arising from this.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government highlights existing planning policy on SuDS and mentions an ongoing research project, but defers a commitment to ending the automatic right to connect to the public sewer or consulting on Schedule 3, stating these issues are being considered by the Storm Overflows Taskforce which will report in summer 2021.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
123
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
The Government’s planning policy is clear that Sustainable Drainage Systems are to be provided in all major, new developments, unless there is clear evidence that this would be inappropriate, and that they should be given priority in new developments in flood risk areas. In 2018 a Government review28 on the application and effectiveness of planning policy for Sustainable Drainage Systems found that 87% of the sample of approved planning applications explicitly stated that they would feature. The suitability of Sustainable Drainage Systems in a planning application is for the local planning authority to determine, with advice from relevant stakeholders e.g. the lead local flood authority. There is also guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework, including promoting the use of multi-functional Sustainable Drainage Systems, future maintenance and multiple benefits. Government is also completing a research project on the Non-Statutory Technical Standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems investigating whether there is a case for updating the standards to include standards on multi-functional benefits. As part of the work of the Government’s Storm Overflows Taskforce, set up to eliminate harm from storm overflows, a number of drainage issues are being considered, such as Sustainable Drainage Systems, including Schedule 3, and section 106 of the Water Industry Act 1991—right to connect to the public sewer. The taskforce will be reporting to Government in summer 2021.
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