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Every development will be unique in delivering SuDS and so will the SuDS that are incorporated into them. A major benefit of SuDS is that they’re adaptable to different site constraints and geological areas.

To achieve SuDS as part of your development we have written a helpful Sustainable Drainage: Design & Evaluation Guide which will give you a step by step guide on SuDS and how to apply the principles we require throughout the design and planning stages. We strongly recommend you contact us as soon as possible so we can help you achieve the best possible outcome for your site. You should also ensure you adhere to Defra’s Technical Standards.

The Local Authority SuDS Officer Organisation, LASOO, has produced practice guidance in association with the HBF and the NFB (previously the HBA). LASOO has now evolved and become the Association of SuDS Authorities. ASA will be affiliated to ADA (Association of Drainage Authorities), both ASA and ADA see surface water management as a priority and share the same technical issues.

ASA will be updating the practice guide in-light of new information relating to SuDS and climate change.

Where a site falls in an Internal Drainage Board area we strongly recommend having discussions with them so as to understand their catchment and constraints.

Typical SuDS Techniques

Below are a few examples of different SuDS techniques achieving a reduction in flood risk, improving water quality and bringing about biodiversity benefits:

Soft landscaping

Landscape features, such as rain gardens, swales, ponds and wetlands, can be designed to collect and store runoff.

Green Roofs

A roof with plants growing on its surface, which contributes to local biodiversity. The vegetated surface provides a degree of retention, attenuation and treatment of rainwater, and promotes evapotranspiration. Further information available from susdrain

 

Rainwater Harvesting

This refers to the capture and storage of rain water which is then used in households and businesses for day to day activities. These can vary between tanked systems which provide water for flushing toilets and water butts for watering plants in the garden. The reuse of rainwater reduces the demand on clean water supplies. Further information available from susdrain

Permeable Paving

Rainwater filters through permeable paving where it is stored before soaking into the ground or entering surface water systems. Further information available from susdrain

Sustainable Drainage: Design & Evaluation Guide

This guide links the design of SuDS with the evaluation requirements of planning in a sequence that mirrors the SuDS design process.

This guide promotes the idea of integrating SuDS into the fabric of development: using the available landscape spaces as well as the construction profile of buildings. This approach provides more interesting surroundings, cost benefits, and simplified future maintenance.

This guide begins by giving a background context for SuDS design. Next, the three accepted design stages are described: Concept Design, Outline Design and Detail Design. Subsequent chapters offer supporting information.

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