Policy DM28 - Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDs)

Page 70, Paragraph 4.30 - should be deleted in its entirety and replaced by a new paragraph.

The current paragraph incorrectly states that Essex County Council is the authority responsible for the determination of planning applications for SuDS. Rochford DC is the authority responsible for the determination of planning applications for SuDS. Essex County Council currently has only a non-statutory consultee/advisory role in respect of the SuDS aspects of planning applications. The Environment Agency is currently the main statutory consultee on SuDS aspects of planning applications. However, from April 2014 (to be confirmed) it is expected that Essex County Council will take on its duties under the Flood & Water Management Act 2010 as a SuDS Approving Body (SAB), whereupon any proposal for construction work which has surface water drainage implications will require prior approval from the County Council. It is understood this will be a separate but parallel procedure to the planning application process.

Accordingly, the existing paragraph 4.30 should be deleted in its entirety and replaced by a new paragraph, to read,
" Whilst the Local Planning Authority is currently the authority responsible for the determination of planning applications for SuDS, it is expected that Essex County Council will become the SuDS Approving Body (SAB) by the enactment of Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, which is likely to be from April 2014. This means that all new development which has surface water drainage implications will potentially require SAB approval and need to conform to National and Local Standards. Essex County Council will be strongly promoting the management of rainfall at the surface and therefore the use of above ground SuDS features (e.g. swales, filter strips, basins. ponds and wetlands etc.) will be required rather than pipes, soakaways and underground storage structures, as these bring more benefits to the community in their amenity and biodiversity value as well as being easier and more economical to maintain and need not be more expensive to install. Also, SuDS proposals which provide for limiting surface water runoff rates from the site to existing greenfield rates will be expected. For further information and enquiries, please contact Essex County Council's SuDS team at suds@essex.gov.uk."