GROUNDWORKS & DRAINAGE 73
The advantages of SuDS Products like AG’s Xflo Permeable Paving solution, can enhance the landscape and encourage local biodiversity, playing a key part in sustainable drainage systems. The product is designed to remove surface water rapidly and safely at a rate of over 50 times the expected rainfall of a se100-year storm.
This new focus on SuDS can be used to an architect’s advantage, with a well-designed SuDS system likely to speed up the approval process – delighting builders and homeowners alike. As well as improving the aesthetics of a development, creating a better and more desirable place to settle, quality SuDS which incorporate open spaces – such as ponds – can increase land value and house prices as much as 10% – providing a new opportunity to increase capital.
SuDS are becoming more prevalent in the construction sector, which is perhaps no surprise. As it stands, Wales is the only country in the United Kingdom with legislation in place that requires all planning applications to include SuDS. However, this month, a new approach to sustainable drainage has been announced by the UK government, following pressure from the industry to act now and implement schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. Schedule 3 of the Act established a process to ensure that any new development includes high quality SuDS. The legislation will, according to the government, “reduce
ADF FEBRUARY 2023
the risk of surface water flooding, pollution and help alleviate the pressures on our traditional drainage and sewerage systems.” Consequently, architects are beginning to set aside more land for green areas, increasing the landscaping and the number of trees taking carbon out of the atmosphere – therefore resulting in a more positive environmental impact. There is no doubt that SuDS are here
to stay. After all, we must continue to be able to control and mitigate flood risk – improving water quality while significantly contributing to the UK’s carbon-neutral goal. Right across the construction sector, we should focus on incorporating them into schemes from the beginning right through to the end. However, it is also important for architects to know that SuDS is not a case of one-size-fits-all. Therefore, careful consideration should take place to determine the most appropriate system for each project.
Manufacturers are keen to support architects, builders and developers in the development process, allowing them to properly implement SuDS from conception through to completion. We are seeing a wide range of projects starting to specify SuDS solutions, and with legislation continuing to change, we predict SuDS being an even greater driving force, paving the route to sustainability within the industry.
Michael Davies is technical manager at AG
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
Architects are under a spotlight to introduce more sustainable elements into their designs
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