Sustainable Urban Drainage for Extensions and Single Houses

This guidance document sets out the requirements for the use of Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS) in planning applications for single houses and domestic extensions. The guidance supports DLR County Development Plan objectives by reducing flood risk, improving water quality, and promoting nature-based solutions at a domestic level. It provides clarity for homeowners and applicants, helping to ensure policy requirements are met, while easing pressure on the public drainage network. 

SuDS measures should be proportionate in scale and designed to manage surface water as close to the source as possible. Suitable options typically include infiltration-based measures such as soakaways, permeable paving, rain gardens, and rain planters, as well as rainwater harvesting for non-potable use. Where ground conditions are suitable, measures that allow rainfall to infiltrate the ground can effectively control runoff volumes and rates while delivering domestic water-quality benefits. For larger developments, applicants are encouraged to engage with drainage planning through the pre-planning process, where larger-scale, more appropriate SuDS measures can be discussed and agreed. 

In addition to setting out SuDS requirements, this document outlines the process for obtaining public-record maps of surface-water sewers, foul sewers, and public water mains across the county. It also references planning requirements for flood risk assessment, wastewater treatment systems, and procedures for connecting to public drainage networks.

SuDS for Extensions and Single Houses