Introduction

This guide aims to provide general guidance on the concept and use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) to aid the management of surface water in housing developments.  It is to inform designers, developers and other stakeholders such as local authorities and property owners about the incorporation and use of SuDS in housing schemes.

This guide is not intended to be a design guide to SuDS but to inform those involved in small developments and in-fill projects of the concept of SuDS, and to give insight into the options available at the site control level.

SuDS schemes need to cover three main aspects of surface water management: water quantity, quality and amenity.  The aims for sustainable development for housing, including the provision of SuDS, are based on two main government policies: Sustainable Construction and Future Water.  These policies require all developments to consider and provide adequate drainage and management of surface water.  SuDS solutions must not cause an impact on the quality of the groundwater or the water catchments of the local water bodies which can subsequently impact on the water supply and increase the burden of further treatment costs for water companies (as required by the Water Framework Directive).

The incorporation of SuDS aims to balance environmental, social and economic requirements for a site development to provide a sustainable, healthy, pleasurable environment for the new housing community as well as adequate management of surface water drainage by attenuating excess stormwater flow to reduce risk of flooding which would have an impact on the social community.

Objectives

The objectives of this guide are to:

• Introduce the concept of SuDS, regulatory drivers, requirements and best practice.
• Encourage and support the incorporation of SuDS in new and existing small housing developments and in-fill.
• Increase awareness of the government policies and the Water Framework Directive requirements related to surface water management and the impact housing development has on surface water drainage and water quality of local environments.
• Provide information regarding government regulations for England, Wales and Scotland.
• Give information concerning planning consent issues.
• Provide technical information relating to SuDS devices, the selection of techniques, and the considerations required for SuDS construction and maintenance.
• Provide information regarding land use, adoption and health and safety considerations in connection with the incorporation of SuDS for a housing development.
• Offer guidance relating to the advantages of incorporating SuDS by considering the social, economic and environmental issues.

Elegibility

Small-scale low carbon electricity technologies eligible for FITs are:

• wind
• solar photovoltaics (PVs)
• hydro
• anaerobic digestion
• domestic scale microCHP (with a capacity of 2 kW or fewer)

* The domestic scale microCHP pilot will support up to 30 000 installations which will be reviewed when the 12 000th installation is completed.

Wind, solar PV, and hydro projects of 50 kW or less and microCHP (Combined Heat and Power) projects supported through the pilot programme will have to use Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified products and installers in order to be eligible for FITs.