There are several policies that affect SuDS in Cornwall. These policies control how much benefit SuDS need to provide and guide what we will approve. Several of these policies are currently in review and we will update them once this is complete.
Sustainable Drainage Policy
Read Cornwall Council’s Sustainable Drainage Policy
The policy is in line with the partial enactment of the Flood and Water Management Act (April 2010). This policy is currently under review in light of the likely implementation of the Schedule 3 in 2024.
Climate Emergency Development Plan Document (February 2023)
Cornwall’s Climate Change Action Plan identifies several key actions. One of these is the Climate Emergency Development Plan Document (CEDPD). It is part of the Cornwall Local Plan and provides guidance on planning for a sustainable future. The DPD also has supporting guidance with more detail on the policies and implementation.
The CEDPD requires SuDS designs to control surface water as close to its source as possible. Where possible they should mimic the natural, pre-development drainage across a site. A well-designed sustainable drainage approach also provides opportunities to:
- reduce the causes and impacts of flooding;
- remove pollutants from urban run-off at source;
- combine water management with green space with benefits for amenity, recreation and wildlife.
CEDPD Policy CC4 – Sustainable Drainage System Design
“SuDS proposals shall prioritise the use of above non-buried SuDS, including retrofit SuDS and where feasible within existing town centres, commercial and retail areas, and redevelopment projects and shall be designed to achieve the following criteria:
- Maximise the benefits to the sense of place, amenity and biodiversity; and
- Reduce the overall level of flood risk on the site and the surrounding areas; and
- Provide attractive, biodiverse and non-buried systems; and
- Incorporate SuDS within greenspace, blue and green infrastructure, amenity, and biodiversity
- schemes to manage surface water flows, improve water quality, educate and improve the wellbeing of communities; and
- Where built into public green or open space have sufficient room to provide a safe, naturalised system without the need for fencing or barriers; and
- Provide for simple and straightforward maintenance, including the provision of a plan and mechanism for on-going maintenance.”
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA)
The Cornwall Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) is a tool to assess flood risk in Cornwall. The SFRA provides information for the allocation of land for development. It also holds information for planners and developers to
- enable the management of development,
- limit flood risk to people and property wherever possible
- manage the risk elsewhere.