SRA Annual Report 2023-24: Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Inspections
The main aims of Somerset Rivers Authority’s Urban Water Management workstream (Workstream 3) are to reduce local flood risks and make places better to live and work.
When it rains, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) help to control the run-off of water from hard surfaces like roads, roofs and pavements. SuDS use techniques inspired by nature – such as permeable paving and plants and ponds – to absorb water and hold it back. SuDS can make places greener and more attractive, healthier for people and better for wildlife, with less pollution.
SuDS Inspections
In 2023-24, as in previous years, a lot of close attention was devoted in this workstream to examining Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) at new developments.
Very few formal SuDS inspection processes are in place across England. This situation is expected to change when Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act (2010) is implemented. In the meantime, Somerset is ahead in checking new developments.
The SRA and its partners want 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. Inspectors check schemes for compliance against 16 different criteria. Text continues below illustrative SuDS images.
At most places, it is generally found that SuDS features are installed in accordance with approved drawings and specifications.
Where problems are found, Somerset Council has the power to enforce changes. So recently, for example, at Sandy Moor, Wiveliscombe, it was found that a crucial flow control device had not been installed by the developer. Somerset Council considered taking enforcement action for potential breaches of drainage conditions, but close liaison between the SRA-funded SuDS Inspector and the developer led eventually to the necessary equipment being ordered and installed. The site was then re-inspected.
Special attention is paid to handover arrangements for future maintenance, which is vital for effective SuDS operation. A re-occurring theme found in SRA-funded inspections is delays in the handover of SuDS infrastructure to bodies responsible for its maintenance. Delays raise concerns about how systems’ long-term performance may be affected, delays also increase short-term risks of flooding downstream. Text continues below illustrative SuDS images.
All sites inspected are added to a SuDS register for Somerset, using mapping software. One purpose of this mapping is to enable future monitoring, especially of whether maintenance is being carried out exactly as developers pledged during the process of getting planning permission. The monitoring process also allows for residents to raise concerns about SuDS features.
A useful source of information about SuDS in Somerset is a website funded by the SRA, which includes Somerset-specific SuDS design standards: https://dev.somerset-suds.jbahosting.com
This website was updated during 2023 to reflect changes such as the launch of the new Somerset Council. The SRA and Somerset Council’s Flood and Coastal team are keen for the Somerset-specific SuDS design standards to be incorporated into the new Somerset Council’s planning policy.
Full list of SuDS inspection sites
The SRA funded inspections of SuDS at 54 places in 2023-24, here listed by former district council area:
Sedgemoor
Bridgwater, Kings Copse Phase 1;
Cheddar (x2), Land at Holwell Lane, Phase 2, and Sharpham Road;
North Petherton, Chaucers Meadow, land east of Taunton Road;
Wedmore, Cross Farm.
Somerset West and Taunton
Churchinford (x2), Ford House Farm; Newberry Farm;
Minehead, Bircham Road;
Norton Fitzwarren, Langford Mead Area H6, Dragon Rise;
Stogursey, Lonlay Mews, off Burgage Road;
Taunton, Woodbine Cottage, Shoreditch Road;
Wellington (x2), Bagley Green; Tonedale Mill;
Watchet (x2), Churchill Way; Doniford Road;
Williton, Gliddons Garage, High Street;
Wiveliscombe, Sandy Moor.
South Somerset
Aller, Orchard Place;
Chard (x3), land at Avishayes Road, Oaklands Avenue; land North of Dolling Close, Chard; former Rosebanks Works;
Crewkerne (x2), Maiden Beech; Middle Hill, Ashlands Road;
Curry Rivel (x2), Maple Road, North of Stanchester Way, Phase 1 & 2; Heale Lane;
Ilminster, Winterhay Lane;
Ilton, Copse Lane;
Langport (x2), Bartletts Elm; Old Kelways;
Martock, Hurst Brook;
Merriott, Moorlands Farm;
Somerton (x7), Bancombe Road; Cartway Lane; Home Farm; Meadow Lea; Northfield Farm; Ricksey Park; Sutton Road;
South Petherton (x4), Lightgate Lane; Prigg Lane; West End Close; West End View;
Sparkford (x2), Old Coal Yard; Wolverlands;
Wincanton (x3), Longclose, Lawrence Hill, and New Barns Farm, and Verrington Lane;
Yeovil (x7), North of Thorne Lane, Brimsmore, Phase 1; Bucklers Mead; Lufton Phases 1-4; Northbrook, Site N; St Georges Ave; St Johns Road, Site P; Stourton Way.