Delivering SuDS in the community

SuDS are not confined to new housing developments. There are opportunities to install SuDS in your garden or in public spaces within your community.

Links to useful guides and case studies on community SuDS schemes are provided in this section. For example, the WWT website provides guidance on incorporating SuDS into your garden, while details of many community-led projects in South West England can be found on the Westcountry Rivers Trust website.

Homeowners

Water butt taking rainwater from house roof

Everyone can play a role in bringing SuDS to Somerset. Here are some examples of activities you can carry out as a homeowner:

Replacing paved surfaces with grassy and permeable ones, which allow water to soak through e.g. permeable paving on driveway.
Fitting SuDS on property, where possible e.g. water butts, rainwater harvesting, green roofs, rain gardens.
Incorporate SuDS if you refurbish or extend your property, or build a new property. See Applying for planning permission and Minor developments.

Useful links and information:

Communities

Communities can act together to push for good quality SuDS in new developments, as well as identifying opportunities to retrofit SuDS into public spaces:

Taking an interest in development within the area, and becoming involved with any community engagement events for new developments.
Identifying locations which might benefit from retrofit SuDS e.g. parks, car parks, public seating areas.
Raising ideas to the local authority, wildlife organisations, or trying to implement them as a group.
Monitoring the maintenance of SuDS in your community and identifying when/where there are issues. Simple SuDS for Local People provides advice on how to check whether SuDS have been designed correctly and are being maintained.

Links and information for community SuDS projects:

SuDS projects in Somerset

Here are some examples of SuDS projects in Somerset:

Grassed rill between road and homes in new development

Grassed rill in new development

Somerset SPONGE
Somerset Rivers Authority - Review of Sustainable Drainage Schemes in Somerset
Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) SuDS project
Somerset Highways SuDS Schemes - contact Somerset Council for more details.

Developers Designers Community Planners and approvers