Lifting of a inspection chamber for a SuDS featureIn working together to improve the SuDS inspection process, Somerset Rivers Authority funds a SuDS Inspector role, which is provided by Somerset Council.
Sites will be inspected at various points during their construction, either through proactive engagement with developers, or by following up notifications from local planning authorities. The aim is to ensure that SuDS which have not been adopted by a Water & Sewerage Company, highway authority or other public body, are constructed and function as designed and approved through the planning process.
Where there are issues in construction of SuDS components, the SuDS Inspector will inform the Local Planning Authority, which has the power to enforce changes to constructed SuDS schemes.
There are very few formal SuDS inspection processes in place across England. The lessons learned from the SuDS Inspector role will help to inform national discussion on the inspection of SuDS.