Agenda item - Draft Sustainable Drainage Systems Supplementary Planning Document (SuDS-SPD)

Report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture

1)            That the Committee gives authority to consult on the Draft SuDS - Supplementary Planning Document which will inform the preparation of the final version of the document and to authorise the Head of Planning to make any necessary minor editorial/grammatical amendments to the Draft Supplementary Planning Document prior to consultation.

34.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture that sought approval to undertake formal public consultation on the draft Sustainable Drainage Systems Supplementary Planning Document (SuDS-SPD).

34.2      Councillor O’Quinn welcomed the report and asked if changes to farming practices had made an impact upon occurrences and severity of flooding.

34.3      The Flood Risk Management Officer replied changes to farming practices could result in increased surface water flooding and officers were working in partnership with the South Downs National Park Authority to address matters such as that.

34.4      Councillor Mac Cafferty referenced a study undertaken by the Building Green Group about the roof audit study that stated that clearly set out the positive impact of building green spaces on roofs to reduce flooding. Councillor Mac Cafferty asked at what point that study should be raised in the formal consultation.

34.5        The Flood Risk Management Officer replied that the SuDS-SPD would bring developers attention to the SEERA Guidance and sustainable drainage manual and there had been a rise in green roofs, blue roofs and water attenuation. The SuDS-SPD document would be a part of range of documents that would provide guidance on the most appropriate system to use.

34.6        Councillor Cattell welcomed the report adding that she was pleased that sustainable urban drainage systems had become much more popular.

34.7        RESOLVED- That the Committee gives authority to consult on the Draft SuDS - Supplementary Planning Document which will inform the preparation of the final version of the document and to authorise the Head of Planning to make any necessary minor editorial/grammatical amendments to the Draft Supplementary Planning Document prior to consultation.