PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)·Page 64·C15
Encouraging sustainable drainage in planning and design
Planning authorities will encourage sustainable drainage that meets planning objectives and offers amenity benefits, and should facilitate early engagement between developers, architects, engineers, landscape architects, and ecologists to design suitable systems with consideration for safety, operation, and maintenance.
Notwithstanding the current legislative position, development proposals that facilitate sustainable drainage while meeting broader planning objectives or requirements will usually be considered favourably by the planning authority. It is recognised for example that sustainable drainage offers much potential for providing amenity open space and enhancing quality in residential environments. The planning authority will therefore encourage early engagement with the developer and also between the developer and other relevant agencies and disciplines (eg architects, drainage engineers, landscape architects, ecologists). This will inform the planning and design of a sustainable drainage system that is suitable for the particular characteristics of the site and its surroundings. It will also influence the layout of the site and identify the potential for the drainage system to deliver planning and environmental benefits. Other considerations such as safety issues and long term operation and maintenance arrangements are also best addressed at an early stage.
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