Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 26
26
Commence Schedule 3 of Act, making Sustainable Drainage Systems mandatory in new developments.
Recommendation
Despite repeated pledges by successive governments, Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 has still not been brought into force in England, leaving Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) optional in new developments and missing a critical opportunity to embed resilience from the outset. The Government should now commence Schedule 3 in England without further delay, making SuDS mandatory in all new developments. (Recommendation, Paragraph 90) 64 Supporting people, places and preparedness
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 23 December 2025. Response attribution to this recommendation has not been verified. Read the response document ↗