Every new build project or proposed housing development should address drainage as a top priority as early as possible. Why? Not only can bad planning cost you as a developer in the build stages, with delays for waiting on drainage paperwork being a common oversight, but your customers could end up paying an even bigger price if the drainage system can’t stand up to the development’s capacity in the long term.
So, if you don’t want to lose money on costly site delays, or end up with unhappy homeowners, the best advice we can give is to contract a drainage specialist (like us) in the early planning stages of any development.
Creating and maintaining a robust drainage system that meets the latest local and national guidelines, as well as allowing enough time for any paperwork approval that’s needed is a win for everyone. We’re experts in drainage planning and solutions, so you can leave it to us to get the details spot on.
Planning a new build or development but no time to read the article?
No problem, give us a call on 01268 950050 and we’ll be happy to help.
Long-Term Planning: Building for the Future
A well-designed drainage system should always be built with the future in mind. By incorporating the correct hydraulic capacity, you can cater to future demands, especially if there are plans for further construction on the same, or an adjoining, site.
Prioritise Routine Maintenance
To maximise a drainage system’s lifespan, it’s crucial to factor in routine maintenance. You should consider adding multiple access points for this purpose, as it not only makes future inspections a lot easier, but also reduces long-term maintenance costs.
Consult SuDS Before You Build
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) have gained widespread recognition as a modern approach to channelling surface water. These systems help minimise environmental impact and preserve natural water bodies. The use of SuDS will become mandatory in England from 2024 for new build projects. This brings England in line with Wales and Scotland in terms of sustainable development practices. While SuDS have been widely adopted, these legal changes are an effort to make sure that sustainable drainage is a consideration in every new development. The good news is, this makes things fairer across the board and also allows the construction and drainage industries to build expertise and drive innovation in this area.
A recently updated user guide advises regulators, developers and local authorities on the requirements for stormwater drainage design for new developments. These requirements are based on the current Defra/Environment Agency position on stormwater management and discharge control for developments. The www.uksuds.com site, a free web-based tool, is now available and has been approved by the Environment Agency for use in planning applications. It provides a suite of tools to estimate:
- Pre-development greenfield site runoff rates.
- Storage volumes required to meet site flow rate controls.
- Suitability of different SuDS for treating site runoff.
- Infiltration storage volumes.
Essential Drainage Paperwork
Knowing what sewer connections your development needs is vital to getting the paperwork and approval completed in perfect tandem with your build plan. If you’re connecting to existing pipes, you’ll need to carry out the required Section 106 applications (the permission required from the sewer provider to connect to the public sewer), and possibly a Section 50 application (permission to place new apparatus in the highway), as well a Section 104 application (the process for having sewers adopted by the local water company) and lastly, if necessary, a Section 185 Sewer Diversion Agreement (if a public sewer crosses a proposed site of works, and the developer submits a request to undertake a reasonable diversion of the sewer). As you can see, with so much paperwork on the table, it really does pay to let a drainage specialist like us look after it.
If you’re operating in the Hertfordshore area, you’ll want to check out our latest blog on important changes to drainage paperwork for Section 50 licences within this area.
CCTV Surveys
For the approval of your drainage paperwork, and your own best practice records, CCTV surveys to inspect the finished drainage system are usually a must. This advanced technology allows for a detailed and accurate overview of the drainage system. By planning and conducting a CCTV survey, you can identify and repair any construction defects.
Seek Expert Drainage Guidance
Whether you’re in the early stages of planning a new build development, or have concerns about an existing project’s drainage system, we can help. We’re an approved contractor for Thames Water, Southern Water and Anglian Water, which means we can take care of your planning and paperwork, liaising with your LWA and carrying out the physical connection on site.
If you want us to take the worry out of your development’s drainage plan, contact us now on 01268 950050 or email [email protected] to arrange a site visit.