The three main topics of this Defra consultation are the introduction of Surface Water Management Plans; the removal/amendment of the right to connect to surface water sewers; and responsibilities for SuDS. We have commented on the parlous state of surface water management in the UK, in spite of the infrastructure charges paid by the industry. We have reiterated that the sustainability of drainage systems is directly related to the adoption and maintenance options (or lack of) and that the removal of the right to connect would render many sites unviable for development (thereby threatening the government’s housing targets). We have also referred to evidence that the summer flooding last year was an extreme event and should not be used as the basis for assumptions about future events. And we see no reason why RFRAs and SFRAs could not become Surface Water Management Plans (but not SWMPs because that already means something else). In terms of who could be responsible for SuDS we have said that, with reservations, we think that WASCs are the most appropriate bodies to take charge of surface water management.
