SRA Annual report 2021-22: SuDS inspections and other SuDS projects
SuDS inspections
Very few formal SuDS inspection processes are in place across England: Somerset is ahead in checking new developments. Sites are inspected at various points, either through pro-active engagement with developers, or by following up notifications from local planning authorities.
The main aims are to ensure that SuDS are built in accordance with the exact designs that were approved by local planning authorities, and that they work as they are meant to work. Local planning authorities have the power to enforce changes to constructed SuDS schemes, and where necessary they use this power.
SuDS inspectors check schemes for compliance against 16 different criteria. Scores are generally best for water quantity, design requirements, health and safety, and system blockages. They are more middling for water quality and structural components, and they are lower for biodiversity, materials, vegetation and future maintenance arrangements. Future maintenance arrangements are a recurrent weakness.
Future maintenance arrangements are of particular concern because there is generally a delay in the handing over of SuDS assets to an adopting authority, such as Wessex Water or a management company. SuDS inspectors believe that one effect of this delay is to reduce the level and the quality of the maintenance undertaken. If site maintenance is neglected, SuDS designs can be
compromised and long-term performance affected. Systems may get blocked, flood storage capacity may be reduced. It is important for all stakeholders, particularly local residents, that developers fulfill their planning obligations.
Mendip
Shepton Mallet, Tadley Acres.
Sedgemoor
Ashcott, Bath Road; Axbridge, land off Cheddar Road; Berrow, Rose Tree Paddock; Brent Knoll, Brent Street; Bridgwater, Black Horse Inn, Rhode Lane, and Durleigh Road; Burnham-on-Sea, Olivier Close, Wallace Wells Road; Cannington, Southbrook Close; Cheddar, land at Holwell Lane; Chilton Polden, Hayne Walk; Durleigh, off Haygrove Road; East Huntspill, Hackness Farm; Mark, Northwick Road; Puriton, Site B; Wedmore, Blackford Road and Cross Farm; Woolavington, Crockers Hill.
Somerset West and Taunton
Bishops Lydeard, Taunton Road; Comeytrowe, Phase 1; Cotford St Luke, Dene Road; Creech St Michael, Nyde Lane, land south of Hyde Lane, West View Gardens; Henlade, Stoke Road; Monkton Heathfield, extensively, including Birds Farm, land off Milton Hill, and Farriers Green; North Curry, Knapp Lane; Taunton, Nerrols Farm and Richmond Court; Stogursey, Farringdon Hill Lane; Stoke St Gregory, land adjacent to Willey Road; Williton, land to the east of Aller Mead Way; Wellington, Cades Farm, Jurston Farm, Longforth Farm; Wiveliscombe, Style Road.
South Somerset
Broadway, Tanyard; Chard, land off Touchstone Lane; Ilton, Court Farm; Langport, Parrett Gardens.
Other SuDS projects
Some SuDS projects that SRA partners hoped to advance during 2021-22 have been delayed. For example, at Somerset West and Taunton Council’s Coal Orchard development in Taunton, where it was planned to put trees in tree pits as SRA-funded additional SuDS, the site developers went into administration. The publication of SRA-funded Somerset-specific SuDS guidance has also been deferred, because of staff shortages in Somerset County Council’s Flood and Water Management section, and procedural complications to do with the launch and adoption of the guidance arising from the reorganisation of local government in Somerset and the move towards a single unitary authority.