There were 402 responses to the recent consultation – this report provides access to the assessment of those views.

DCLG  & Defra   ‘Effective provision of advice to local planning authorities in relation to water drainage management – new consultation announced. As part of the government’s continuing commitment to protect people and property from flood risk, my department (Department for Communities and Local Government) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs recently consulted on a proposal to make better use of the planning system to secure sustainable drainage systems. Today (18 December 2014) we are publishing our response to the consultation explaining how we will be strengthening existing planning policy. This will make clear that the government’s expectation is that sustainable drainage systems will be provided in new developments wherever this is appropriate.

To this effect, we expect local planning policies and decisions on planning applications relating to major development – developments of 10 dwellings or more; or equivalent non-residential or mixed development (as set out in Article 2(1) of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2010) – to ensure that sustainable drainage systems for the management of run-off are put in place, unless demonstrated to be inappropriate. Under these arrangements, in considering planning applications, local planning authorities should consult the relevant lead local flood authority on the management of surface water; satisfy themselves that the proposed minimum standards of operation are appropriate and ensure through the use of planning conditions or planning obligations that there are clear arrangements in place for ongoing maintenance over the lifetime of the development. The sustainable drainage system should be designed to ensure that the maintenance and operation requirements are economically proportionate.’

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/sustainable-drainage-systems