Current Guidance and SuDS Legislation

Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25) sets out Government policy on development and flood risk. Its aims are to ensure that flood risk is taken into account at all stages in the planning process to avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding. PPS25 recommends the implementation of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) on all new development whilst the Environment Agency (EA) advises planning authorities on development and flood risk matters, to steer developments away from flood risk areas and to restrict development that would increase the risk of flooding. The EA actively encourages local authorities to include pervious pavements in supplementary planning guidance on SuDS. Housebuilders are also being encouraged by both the EA and the ‘Code for Sustainable Homes’ to adopt SuDS pervious pavements.