The Government adopted a new approach to implementing Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) on 6 April 2015.  These changes to the SuDS regime impact upon how flood risk and surface water run-off is managed. 

The report outlined these changes to the planning system and asks Members to acknowledge the Sustainable Drainage System Design Guide (2014) produced by Essex County Council, as a material consideration. 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr McCheyne and SECONDED by Cllr Trump to agree the recommendations in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

1.     That the Sustainable Drainage System Design Guide, as attached at Appendix A, be acknowledged as a material consideration for the purposes of determining planning applications where relevant to the particular application.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

Formal acknowledgement of the SuDS Design Guide as a material consideration when determining planning applications will help the Borough meet its Local Plan policy objectives and assist the Council in negotiating good quality sustainable drainage schemes as part of new major developments.

Acknowledgement of the guide will help ensure that sustainable drainage schemes coming forward in the Borough are fit for purpose in terms of helping reduce and manage the risk of surface water flooding as well as delivering wider amenity, ecological and landscape benefits.