Housebuilders face a costly hurdle over sustainable drainage

Housebuilders have described new rules forcing developers in England to adopt sustainable drainage systems to prevent flooding as ‘ill thought out’.

The government has announced it will amend the flood and management act to make sustainable systems, referred to as SuDs, mandatory on all new housing development by 2024.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove visited the site of Eden Project Morecambe recently, following the announcement that the project

Mr Sunak and Mr Gove were given a tour of the site on the Morecambe seafront and were shown plans for the project while walking the site. They also met students from Lancaster and Morecambe College studying green skills courses in land-based subjects, renewable energy and construction.

Currently, SuDs, which typically use soakaways, grassed areas, permeable surfaces and wetlands to reduce pressure on public sewers, are required for developments of ten homes or more.

The National Federation of Builders, NFB, housing and policy head Rico Wojtulewicz said: “Developers are ending up paying for the under investment of the water companies. It will have a real impact on the industry, particularly for the smaller developer.” He added that the government should have consulted on the process first before they introduced legislative changes.

“The adoption of SuDs and the maintenance and acceptance of the design has not been formulated yet.”

He also questioned how the new requirement would fit with nutrient neutrality rules which stop councils in certain areas from allowing developments likely to add phosphates and nitrates into rivers.