Tim Farron – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Farron on 2016-09-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will reassess the potential merits of proposals to make sustainable drainage systems compulsory in new housing developments at risk from flooding.

Gavin Barwell

There are strict tests in national planning policy to protect people and property from flooding and we have been very clear that where these tests are not met new development should not be allowed.

The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that new development should only be considered appropriate in areas at risk of flooding where it gives priority to the use of sustainable drainage systems. The policy was strengthened in April 2015 to make clear the expectation that sustainable drainage systems should be provided in all major new developments, unless demonstrated to be inappropriate. The Framework is underpinned by planning guidance, including guidance on sustainable drainage systems, which was strengthened last year.

The Housing and Planning Act 2016 places a duty on the government to carry out a review of both planning legislation and planning policy in respect of sustainable drainage systems in developments. Any subsequent changes would be based on the evidence from this review.

Additionally, developers must comply with the building regulations which give priority to sustainable drainage systems in their hierarchy of arrangements for dealing with rainwater draining from roofs and pavings giving access to the building.