Three is the magic number

Martin Lambley, product manager for urban climate resilience, northwest Europe, UK and Ireland at Wavin, explains how developers and housebuilders can ensure their business thrives when Schedule 3 arrives.

Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are set to become an even more integral part of all new developments in England Following a review of SuDS by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Government has decided to commence Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, which will establish a national standard for sustainable drainage in new developments

The upcoming regulations are undoubtedly the change we need to ensure communities are more resilient to wetter winters, but for developers and housebuilders, mandatory sustainable drainage requirements are another thing to think about on already complex projects

So, before the legislation kicks in in 2024, it’s important that they understand what it means for their projects

Schedule 3 is a phase of the Water Management Act 2010, but it wasn’t implemented with the rest of the legislation through fear that it would put the brakes on much needed growth in housebuilding However, since then SuDS have grown more effective and easier to implement Couple this with an ever more urgent need for robust solutions in urban water management, and legislators have decided that the stick will be more useful than the

Carrot In Driving The Necessary Change

In practice, Schedule 3 is likely to require a development to submit a drainage plan to local authorities for approval before it can connect to a public sewer system This plan will have to contain high-quality SuDS, of which the exact requirements are yet to be defined However, when Schedule 3 emerges in its final form, the legislation puts the emphasis on developers to become fluent in SuDS if they want to see their projects progress

Sussing out SuDS

One important aspect of Schedule 3 is that SuDS are set to be a crucial part of the planning stage of developments, and a project-critical one at that. It brings that deadline significantly closer for developers and housebuilders, so it’s important that they start familiarising themselves with the solutions available on the market now

SuDS are designed to change our relationship with water and re-establish an urban water cycle that works better with the natural cycle that the built environment disrupts The most comprehensive approach to SuDS is therefore one that bridges natural solutions, such as ponds, soakaways and swales, and artificial interventions such as attenuation tanks Different systems will be right for projects of varying sizes, types, and flood risks. So, developers should be ready to be flexible and take an integrated approach and find the right SuDS option for each individual project.

Actually building it

SuDS are another component of already complex construction projects, and an addition to crowded work sites, particularly those in cities where space comes at a premium. The implications for site safety, and keeping projects on time and on budget, have the potential to be a headache for construction managers. Underground systems that are cumbersome to install pose a risk to employees and have the potential to delay the rest of the build.

It's for this reason that developers should ensure installation for SuDS is a priority right from the design and specification stages. In fact, significant progress has been made in the way SuDS products are designed in recent years, allowing installation to be easier than ever, and it’s possible that this has contributed to policymakers deciding that the time is now for Schedule 3

Despite this progress, SuDS still pose an upfront investment. However, the new mandate is an opportunity for developers to introduce their customers to SuDS, who for the most part won’t have encountered them before, offering the chance for them to become a desired element of a development. SuDS offer a reassurance to homeowners in particular, and knowing the value these systems have when property is faced with flooding, can make the world of difference.

Ultimately, this is a chance for developers to get ahead of the game –the legislation will surely make a splash when it comes into force in 2024, and foreknowledge of the incoming regulations, and the relevant solutions they address, is crucial for those looking to appeal to buyers on the hunt for an asset which will hold its value in a future defined by a changing climate.

WAN T TO KNOW MORE?

For more information Wavin’s SuDS, please visit www.rdr.link/dam012