Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
4th Report – Flood resilience in England
Environmental Audit Committee
HC 550
Published 13 October 2025
Recommendations
26
Rejected
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 …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects commencing Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, stating that improved SuDS delivery could be achieved by building on current planning policy and exploring options for adoption and maintenance instead. It intends to consult on national planning policy and legislative options related to SuDS in due course.