As well as Major residential and commercial developments, SuDS should also be implemented to manage surface water in other types of development. This includes minerals and waste sites and major infrastructure projects.
Minerals and waste
Minerals and waste development is classified as major development under the Town and Country Planning Act (1990). It is therefore subject to the same SuDS requirements as major residential or employment sites.
The Somerset Waste Core Strategy is used to determine waste planning applications in Somerset, and encourages the use of SuDS in waste developments.
Major infrastructure
The process of designing and delivering SuDS within residential and commercial development is well documented. However, SuDS should also be used within major infrastructure projects.
Major infrastructure or Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) include road and rail links, wastewater treatment plants and solar or wind farms. These types of development often increase the area of existing hardstanding, alter surface water flow paths and produce additional surface water runoff which needs to be effectively managed. SuDS can play a role in delivering sustainable infrastructure projects within Somerset.
For example, filter drains at the side of motorways can help to manage disruptive surface water flooding on the highway, while also filtering sediment and hydrocarbons from surface water runoff.
The planning process
Planning applications for projects which classify as NSIPs require a Development Consent Order, under The Planning Act 2008. The applications are considered by the UK Planning Inspectorate, rather than the Local Planning Authority.
Development Consent Order applications are 'front-loaded', and therefore the development proposal needs to be designed in full at the pre-application stage. There is very little scope for designs or layouts to be amended after submission to the Planning Inspectorate. All statutory consultees and interested parties must also be consulted at the pre-application stage.
Therefore, where SuDS are proposed in projects, a detailed drainage strategy will need to be finalised and agreed by stakeholders before it is submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
Further information on the planning process for NSIP can be found on the Planning Inspectorate website.