Keep the date 07 January 2019 in mind.
It’s the day whence from newly submitted planning applications (for construction works with drainage implication in Wales (and lets not bet around the bush, that means most forms of built or operational development) will trigger mandatory inclusion of SuDs/Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems. This will implement Schedule 3 of the Flood Water and Management Act 2010 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/29/schedule/3 alongside National SuDs Standards issued by Welsh Government.
SuDs approval will be a technical and separate approval process, with applications (fee’s charged of course) made to newly formed SABs (SuDs Approval Body) for each Council area. Although distinct from your Planning Application, meeting mandatory national SuDs standards will impact significantly on design, layout, appearance and management of your development. Planning applications lodged and valid on or after the trigger date will have to allow for SuDs designs as part of the details and demonstrate compliance with the Standards within the planning application in addition to to dealing with the SAB process.
The only anticipated exceptions will be single dwellings and development with a floor area of less than 100sqm alongside some other transitional arrangements for reserved matters applications lodged before 07 January 2020. SAB approval applies equally to permitted development as that needing formal planning approval. Therefore, many forms of agricultural and industrial PD will be caught by the requirement.
If you act quickly there is time to submit your planning application before the trigger date to avoid the need for SAB approval alongside planning or to take advantage of the transitional arrangements for reserved matters.
Looking forward to the new regime, we have relationships with specialist drainage consultants to develop tailor made project teams to ensure future developments will consider and meet all parallel planning and SuDs requirements from the outset, reducing delay and cost in the long run. Designing SuDs early in your scheme concept will be essential to inform pre-application discussions and consultations with Planners, the SAB and other consultees.
Contact Pete on 07877 748995 or plplanning1968@gmail.com to discuss how we can help you beat the deadline or deal with the new regime.
