Drainage Strategy to Support your Planning Application

You can reduce risk and stress by understanding how surface water drainage can be managed at an early stage of the project. This provides you with the knowledge and confidence you need to submit your planning application with a robust sustainable drainage scheme which compliments your development. 

A Flood Risk Assessment is required by regulators to support a planning application or remove objections if a new development or change-of-use proposal (to a more vulnerable use) is located in an area that is at risk of flooding by rivers, the sea, surface water or groundwater (or a combination).

Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFA) will also require a SuDS strategy to be submitted in the following situations which are classed as major new development:

• for development of sites measuring 1 hectare or greater.
• for all major planning applications (10 dwellings or more).

In addition, the LLFA are statutory consultees for any new major development consisting of 10 dwellings or more. The LLFA, which are county councils and unitary authorities, mange local flood risks issues such as risks of flooding from surface water, ground water and ordinary watercourses. The LLFA have a responsibility to ensure that SuDS schemes conform with the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Lustre Consulting can provide Drainage Strategies from property level to catchment scale investigations. We specialise in undertaking assessments supporting planning applications for residential and commercial schemes at any scale.

We take pride in our environmental multi-disciplinary team, which provides added value to our clients by saving them time and money by combining our services as a package.

Our Flood Risk and Drainage services can be complemented with our in-house ability to undertake infiltration testing to BRE365, ground water monitoring, geotechnical investigations and Contaminated Land Assessment. This allows us to provide the very best advice, design and deliver schemes in accordance with local and national policy requirements.

Our drainage services include:

• Review of flood risk in order to determine site constraints and development potential
• Flood Risk Assessments for planning applications
• SuDS proof of concept and opportunity assessment
• Drainage strategies for planning applications (surface water and foul water)
• Master-planning and site development support
• 1D and 2D hydraulic modelling and assessments
• Detailed drainage design
• Soakage and permeability testing

These are some frequently asked questions when commissioning a Flood Risk Assessment:

Do I need a Drainage Strategy?
Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFA) will require a strategy to be submitted in the following situations which are classed as major new development: for development of sites measuring 1 hectare or greater, and for all major planning applications (10 dwellings or more).

How long does Drainage Strategy take?
As part of the assessment we usually have to contact the LLFA to source any data or information. Whilst we always strive to meet your deadlines and complete our reporting within two weeks, we may be delayed due to statutory response time for information requests. This should be considered when programming your assessment.

How can I be sure I need a Drainage Strategy?
If you are unsure as to whether you require a drainage strategy, please give us a call, so together we can discuss your requirements. Alternatively, please send an email to info@lustreconsulting.comand provide us with the site location and description of the proposed development.