SuDS Management Plan

Management of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)

Surface water is a serious concern for developers, planners and property owners. If a building has insufficient surface water drainage, it can cause property damage, disrupt communities and overwhelm local networks.

From something as simple as a small housing estate to something as complex as a major development, the way you manage surface water is just as important, and it’s only become more crucial due to the constant pressures around climate change and urbanisation.

If a development site is not properly assessed and managed, it could increase flood risk within and beyond the boundary line, especially if the run-off affects third-party land. By getting a SuDS management plan, you can get a trusted strategy for guaranteeing compliance, resilience and sustainability in your planning project.

What are SuDS?

Often shortened to SuDS, sustainable drainage systems are an alternative approach to traditional drainage.

Instead of moving water away as quickly as possible, a sustainable drainage system will slow, treat, store and gradually release rainwater.

By doing this, the strain on local sewers will be lessened, and it will be possible to promote a more natural drainage cycle.

Types of SuDS

A wide range of SuDS features are available and can be combined based on the site conditions, the goals of the development and the regulations of relevant authorities.

Common types of SuDS include:

Detention Basins and Ponds

Stores and Releases Excess Water

Green Roofs

Absorbs and Delays Rainfall at the Source

Infiltration Systems

Promotes Water Absorption into Underlying Soil Types

Permeable Paving

Allows Water to Seep Into the Ground

Swales

Slows the Flow of Water Using Shallow and Vegetated Channels

All of the systems above are designed to filter, slow or store surface water runoff, with local constraints and opportunities often determining the most suitable option.

SuDS Management Plans

With SuDS becoming more common, it is vital to manage them effectively, not only to help with design approval but also to encourage long-term success.

What is a SuDS Management Plan?

A SuDS management plan is a formal document for detailing how a site’s drainage system will be maintained and monitored over time.

It offers assurances that the SuDS will continue to operate as it was originally designed to, stay as safe as when it was first installed, and deliver long-term environmental and flood risk benefits.

The Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and other stakeholders in the planning process may ask for a SuDS management plan as part of a planning application.

Key Purposes for a SuDS Management Plan

Developers, planners and property owners will usually get a SuDS management plan to:

• Comply with National SuDS Standards and Surface Water Management Regulations
• Ensure the Drainage System Functions Efficiently on a Long-Term Basis
• Identify Access Routes, Inspection Schedules and Maintenance Responsibilities
• Reduce the Risk of Blockages, Localised Flooding and System Failures
• Satisfy Legal and Planning Requirements in Planning Applications

What is Included in a SuDS Management Plan?

From an asset register of present features and an inspection and maintenance schedule to the mapping and layout plans and the access and safety requirements, a SuDS management plan will include a lot of different components for it to be sufficiently robust. In addition to that, it is also likely to include the listed roles and responsibilities, performance monitoring guidance, and details of the handover to third parties and adopted authorities.

For more information about SuDS plans, check out the section below:

SuDS Components

The following parts make up a SuDS management plan:

1. Introduction

• Overview of the Development Site
• Planning Context
• Purpose and Scope of the Document

2. SuDS Asset Register

• Asset ID Codes
• Description and Location of Each Asset
• Full Inventory of Installed SuDS Features

3. Access and Safety Information

• Any Site Constraints and Hazards
• Locations of Control Chambers, Overflows and Manholes
• Safe Access Routes for Maintenance Teams

4. Maintenance Responsibilities

• Clear Designation of Who Manages Each Element
• Contact Details for Responsible Parties
• Distinction Between Private and Adoptable Systems

5. Maintenance Schedule

• Frequency of Maintenance Checks
• Special Conditions
• Task List for Each SuDS Component

6. Monitoring Requirements

• Actions if Performance Drops Below Acceptable Levels
• Logging and Reporting Protocols
• Performance Indicators

7. Drainage Layout Plan

• Site Plan Showing the Full Drainage System
• Locations of SuDS Assets and Flow Paths
• Links to Surrounding Systems or Third-Party Land

8. Compliance Statement

• Summary of How the Plan Complies with LLFA Guidance, National Policy, SuDS Standards and Any Site-Specific SuDS Requirements

In addition to all of the above, if handover or adoption is needed, the SuDS management plan may also include details, such as the conditions for adoption by public bodies, documentation required for handover, and provisions for transfer to a management company or authority.

Important Considerations on a Site

During the creation of a plan, certain environmental and practical factors will be considered as part of the process, including:

SuDS Regulations

Several authorities, organisations and regulators enforce laws, policies and regulations that influence the management of sustainable drainage systems.

Examples include local planning guidance, national planning policy framework (NPPF), non-statutory technical standards for SuDS and requirements from the LLFA.

In order for a SuDS management plan to be completed correctly, it should align with the parameters of all relevant responsible bodies.

Why Choose Our SuDS Consultancy?

A drainage system can only be managed properly with attention to detail, long-term thinking and an understanding of the regulations. Arbtech is a consultancy that offers many different services to support planning, including SuDS management plans that are fully compliant, practical and site-specific.

Our team takes the time to understand your proposed development, assess your site’s conditions and apply the most appropriate SuDS features, from permeable surfaces to infiltration basins. Everything we do is tailored to your needs, whether you’re dealing with greenfield runoff rates or redeveloping a brownfield site.

By considering surface water drainage early, a plan can help you to meet the conditions of your planning applications, satisfy the requirements of the LLFA, and ensure effective surface water management post-construction. More than anything, our goal is to reduce the risk of flooding, improve water quality, and support the delivery of sustainable developments.

Our SuDS Consultants

When you choose Arbtech, you’re deciding to move forward with a team that knows how to integrate sustainable drainage systems into real-world projects.

Across our team of specialists are SuDS consultants who understand what planning officers and LLFAs look for in a quality SuDS management plan.

Regardless of who is instructed from our team to work on your site, you will get a professional with a deep knowledge of regulatory frameworks, practical experience in developments of all sizes, strong relationships with the local authorities, and comprehensive plans.

The consultants we work with create extensive reports, but they are also committed to working closely with you, helping you to solve problems, reduce risk and solidly futureproof your development.

Expected SuDS Cost

The cost of a SuDS management plan is likely to vary depending on the size, layout and complexity of your site. Your price will also be different based on whether the site is brownfield or greenfield, the number and type of SuDS assets to be maintained, the access and safety requirements, the adoption or third-party maintenance arrangements, and the current stage of your development process.

Although that may sound worrying, you won’t commit to anything without receiving a quote from our team first. Simply contact us and give us as much information about your site and project as possible, and from there, we can give you an accurate cost and timeline for you to base your decision on.

Get a SuDS Management Plan for Your Site

You may need a SuDS management plan as part of your planning application or as an unexpected additional condition post-approval. Whatever the situation, our team can step in and help.

Ask for a free quote from our team before making any commitments by emailing us, calling us or completing a quote form on the contact section of our website.

We’ve worked with countless individuals, professionals and businesses all over the UK on a variety of different issues related to planning, so we are more than capable of supporting you with yours.