01743 298100
info@geosmartinfo.co.uk
GeoSmart Information
  • Home
  • Reports
    • Contaminated Land Reports
    • Flood Risk Assessments
    • Sustainable Drainage Reports
    • NEW Detailed Drainage Design
  • Data
    • Groundwater Flood Risk Map
    • SuDS Infiltration Map
    • BGS Geology Datasets
    • User Guides
  • Services
    • GWFlood
    • GWSewerFlood
    • Flood Risk Portfolio
  • Knowledge Hub
    • Contaminated Land
    • Flood Risk Assessment
    • Sustainable Drainage Systems
    • Groundwater Flood Risk
    • CPD
    • Videos
    • News
    • Events
    • Blog
    • Library
    • Case Studies
    • Latest GeoSmart e-Newsletters
  • About
    • Our Customers
    • Our Team
    • Our Partnerships
    • Testimonials
    • Careers
    • Our Responsibility
    • A Sustainable Future
    • FAQs
  • Contact

House of Lords amend Housing Bill to include sustainable drainage

Posted on April 28th 2016 in Blog, SuDS

In its second reading this week, the House of Lords made good its promise to push harder on real reform on flood mitigation for new developments in the Housing Bill.

An amendment to the Bill tabled by Baroness Kate Parminter, Baroness Barbara Young and Lord John Krebs was pushed to a vote and passed. If the amendment stays in the Bill when it returns to the House of Commons, this change to the law will restrict developers’ automatic right to directly connect new houses to existing drainage systems – many of which are already over-loaded – and compel them to integrate low-cost measures known as sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), which compensate for the additional flow that new developments create.

Crucially, the amendment will apply to all sites, regardless of size. Currently, the voluntary regime applies to larger sites of 10 or more units. While new homes are the focus, the wording of the amendment applies to all development, residential or commercial. Implementing SuDS, where appropriate, would be the priority before connection to any other drainage type.

The amendment also has the support of water companies and expert bodies such as the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT).

The Flood and Water Management Act of 2010 made provisions for the use of sustainable drainage systems, and an end to the automatic right to connect new homes to existing sewage networks. However, these provisions were never implemented, and instead a voluntary system asking developers to follow these practices was put in place.

The measure has not been successful in promoting greater flood risk mitigation on new developments and has failed to promote the added benefits of sustainable drainage for water quality, biodiversity and amenity.

Analysis by the Committee on Climate Change’s sub-committee on adaptation found that of 100 planning applications in areas of flood risk, less than 15% were going to incorporate sustainable drainage measures.

Currently developers are able to connect new homes to existing sewage and water networks without having to upgrade them, which puts new houses and nearby existing ones at the threat of overload and flooding, and the unpleasant effects that come from sewage outflows.

The Home Builders Federation, which represents developers, said it was not taking a definitive position on the amendment. In response, a spokesman has said “The industry will continue to engage with all the relevant authorities and water companies to agree surface water drainage strategies for new developments in a way that meets the proposed amendments to surface water requirements.”

The government has promised up to 1 million new homes by 2020, all of which would need to implement SuDS as standard. They oppose the amendment, but a cross-party group of peers mustered enough votes from rebel Tories to defeat ministers.

“We have reached a crossroads in flood management and housing policy now. If the government is serious about tackling flood issues once and for all they should accept the House of Lords amendment and enshrine sustainable drainage systems in law for every new build development.” says Stuart Pearce, Managing Director of GeoSmart.

“This would be a positive step to reconcile our housing crisis with the ongoing effects of climate change. If the Bill is passed, developers, lawyers and other property professionals will need consider site suitability for SuDS as a key part of project feasibility. Developers can be assured that they can access plenty of help and information to deal with the new obligations and to ensure compliance with local authority planning teams, avoid unforeseen costs and delays.”

There is a final reading of the Bill this week before it goes back to the Commons. Expect further pressure to be brought to bear on the Government when it does so.

To understand more about how SuDS work, join our free CPD webinar on 17th May.

Download a copy of our free SuDS guide.

Find out more about GeoSmart’s range of SUDS infiltration Suitability Reports.

Posted by DavidKempster
Share this Post
« Previous Post
Next Post »

Latest Articles

  • Increased Groundwater Flood Risk in England
  • CPD webinar: Environmental Information for Masterplanning – 7th April 2021
  • CPD webinar: Understanding SuDS – 24th March 2021
  • CPD webinar: Flood Risk Assessments: A Guide for Architects and Planners – 3rd March 2021
  • CPD webinar: Environmental Information for Masterplanning – 3rd February 2021

EnviroSmart Reports

View Contaminated Land Reports

FloodSmart Reports

View Flood Risk Assessments

SuDSmart Reports

View Sustainable Drainage Reports

See what our customers have to say...

"During the conveyancing process for my current house purchase, I was extremely concerned to find the general search results revealed the house was at 'moderate risk of groundwater flooding'. I was unable to get any further information from anyone until I contacted GeoSmart. The staff I spoke to were friendly, helpful, efficient and extremely knowledgeable. The information provided was very site specific and focused. The staff member who talked me through the information and maps provided was very knowledgeable, answered all my questions and allowed me plenty of time to discuss issues. Thanks to GeoSmart for their great service."
Linda Barton
"We were impressed by the speedy, well-informed service and personal contact that we received. The report was thorough and comprehensive. We will certainly use GeoSmart's services in the future"
Gregory Gray
Gregory Gray Associates
"I would like to say that dealing with GeoSmart was a seamless experience from beginning to end - thank you for that"
Martin Lloyd
Martin Lloyd Associates
"Everyone involved from initial approach to receipt of report was knowledgeable, efficient and focused"
Robert McCall
OeMO Ltd
"Great service! Extremely fast and the report was very detailed and well received by the planners. Many thanks GeoSmart, we will definitely use your services again"
Nigel Slack
Michael Eyres Partnership LLP
"The service was great, fast and efficient. Everyone we talked to was very helpful and the details were well received by the planners"
Ben Thorns
Solid Digital Marketing Ltd
"The service for a Phase 1 Contaminated Land Study was excellent, fast and efficient! GeoSmart were willing to assist despite the extremely tight timescale to work with. We will definitely consider using your services again"
Craig Roberts
Hunter Page
"Efficient and friendly service, GeoSmart provided a clear and concise report within the timescales advised. Great service and I would have no problem recommending"
Geraint Harris
Vitec Consult
"We are very pleased with the service provided by GeoSmart. Their reports have been used to assist with numerous planning applications and have always been delivered to budget and on-time, much to our clients’ appreciation. We look forward to working with GeoSmart on future projects"
Alan Gunne-Jones
Planning & Development Associates
"The service provided was efficient and friendly. From the first phone call to GeoSmart they provided a clear, professional approach to my request within the timescales advised. Great service and I would have no problem recommending"
John Childs
Private Developer
Find out more about how we can support you today!
Get in touch
Subscribe to our newsletter
© 2021 GeoSmart Information Ltd.

Suite 9-11, 1st Floor,
Old Bank Buildings,
Bellstone, Shrewsbury,
SY1 1HU

Company No. 5475394

Contact Us
Call 01743 298100
Email info@geosmartinfo.co.uk
Legal Links
  • Privacy Policy
  • CDM Regulations
  • Terms & Conditions
Website by Ascendancy Internet Marketing