SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)·Page 62·6.118
Sustainable Drainage Systems as preferred drainage solution
Planning authorities should encourage developers to use sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) in areas susceptible to surface water flooding, as SuDS are more effective than traditional piped drainage and provide additional environmental, economic and social benefits; permeable materials for hard surfaces should also be used to reduce soil sealing.
In managing development, particularly in areas susceptible to surface water flooding, planning authorities should encourage developers to use sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) as the preferred drainage solution. Such systems are widely used in other UK jurisdictions and have been shown to be more effective than traditional piped drainage in reducing surface water flooding as well as providing other environmental, economic and social benefits. Furthermore using permeable materials for hard landscaped surfaces in new developments can reduce soil sealing.
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