New surface water drainage approvals required from October 2012

From 1 October 2012 most developments over a certain size (likely to be 100 square meters) will require approval from a new SUDS (sustainable urban drainage system) approving body as well as requiring planning permission. The changes are being introduced with a view to reducing incidents of surface water flooding.

There will no longer be an automatic right to connect to the public sewer system and instead approval will be required from the SUDS approving body (County Council or Unitary Authority)  to schemes which will have to comply with national standards.  The national standards have yet to be formalised, but developers will need to be aware of the need to obtain approval from the SUDS approving authority in respect of surface water systems.