New developments and the surrounding areas could benefit from a reduced risk of flooding thanks to a clearer approach to drainage guidance for planning applications.
The Isle of Wight council is consulting on new drainage guidance for developers to include in planning applications. This is to ensure new development is designed to manage surface water in the best possible way.
Sustainable drainage systems
The new approach to drainage will ensure sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are designed as part of new developments to reduce the impact of heavy rainfall by using features such as soakaways, grassed areas, permeable surfaces and wetlands.
By reducing the overall amount of water that ends up in the sewers during heavy rain, the number of storm overflow discharges to the sea can be reduced. Certain features such as tanks and water butts also allow for water reuse and reduce pressures on water resources.
Many benefits
The benefits of sustainable drainage systems are many – from mitigating flood risk by catching and storing surplus water and reducing storm overflow discharges, to enhancing local nature in the heart of our developments and helping with harvesting valuable rain water.
Fuller: Ensuring new development is designed to manage surface water
Councillor Paul Fuller, Cabinet member for planning, coastal protection and flooding, said,
“Everyone on the Island is well aware of the severe impact that flooding has on our community, that storm events are becoming more regular and more extreme, and it is important that the council does everything it can to try and minimise these impacts.
“Part of that work is to ensure that new development is designed to manage surface water in the best possible way to help reduce the likelihood of flooding in our communities. Taking a more consistent and effective approach to sustainable drainage systems will improve the resilience of our drainage and sewer infrastructure, while reaping these broader benefits.
“This draft supplementary planning document (SPD) provides excellent guidance and advice on how new development can do that.
“I would encourage people to read and comment on the document and look forward to being able to use it when making planning decisions so we can ensure that new development manages surface water in the best way for our Island.”
All Islanders can help
The proposed new guidance will support improved development, but all Islanders can support the reduction of excess water into sewers at home by using water butts on down pipes and taking water saving measures such a reduced flow toilets and shorter showers.
Following the consultation, the draft SPD will then be taken to Cabinet in May where councillors will be asked to formally adopt the SPD.
If it is adopted, the SPD will be used as a material consideration when determining planning applications.
Don’t miss the deadline
The consultation will run until Friday 8th March 2024 and more information can be found on the council’s website.
Comments can be submitted by email to [email protected] or by post to Planning Services, Seaclose Office, Fairlee Road, Newport, PO30 2QS.
Copies of the draft SPD are available to view at reception at both Seaclose Offices and County Hall.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
