Planning & SuDS in Kent 21 March 2018 Bronwyn Buntine Kent County Council Sustainable Drainage Team Leader
Topics Kent s context & consultations Delivery of the LLFA & planning role Application assessment Serendipity of drainage and planning Draft NPPF and consultee role Conclusions
Housing Projection 2016-20136 175,500 dwellings Kent s Context
200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Consultation Numbers Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 Total Major For year ending Sep 2017 Applications Ashford 63 84 Canterbury 64 123 Dartford 23 58 Dover 49 111 Gravesham 13 24 Maidstone 108 83 Sevenoaks 31 171 Shepway 33 83 Swale 70 66 Thanet 41 147 Tonbridge and Malling 32 92 Tunbridge Wells 37 86 564 1128 579 1,133 1,728 LLFA Consultations Priorities: How to reduce outside of remit consultations How to address minors/low risk How to reduce re-consultations: Lack of information Lack of ground investigation How to ensure drainage strategy proposed is appropriate
LLFA Role Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Emergency planning and recovery Works to manage local flood risk Statutory consultee role on surface water drainage LLFA Register of Assets Ordinary Watercourse consenting Investigate significant local flooding incidents
Emergency planning and recovery Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Works to manage local flood risk Other Risk Management Authorities: Environment Agency District & Borough Councils Sewerage undertakers IDBs KCC Highways Statutory consultee role on surface water drainage LLFA Planning Role Register of Assets Bronwyn Buntine Sustainable Drainage Team Leader Flood Risk Project Officers Neil Clarke Alex Brauninger Daniel Hoare Sophia-Harri Nicholoau Ordinary Watercourse consenting Investigate significant local flooding incidents Technical Support Officer Andrew Longman Emma Philpott Land Drainage Engineer
Application assessment Seek to ensure that surface water is managed appropriately and does not exacerbate flood risk on-site or off-site Defra published Non-Statutory Technical Standards KCC Drainage and Planning Policy Statement
Serendipity of planning and drainage 1. May overcome localised drainage issues Example: Proposed development in Marden Culvert to be reinstated Addresses outfall & riparian issues Reduce localised flooding
Serendipity of planning and drainage 2. Integrating ecology and drainage solutions Example: Development in Staplehurst Ponds to be integrated Water quality managed for enhancements Delivery of GCN & SuDS
Serendipity of planning and drainage 3. Development, ditches and swales Examples: all over Kent Invert and headwall issues Gradient issues Seeding/finish issues Appropriate side slopes Integration with landscape Coordination on discharge of conditions Working partnership with Land Drainage Engineer
Serendipity of planning and drainage 4. Address delivery and resilience Example: Strategic Development, Ashford Overall masterplan drainage strategy Clear definition of phases against strategic provision Delivery of agreed local discharge rate Consideration of local issues Policy revisions Adjusted FSR rate
Draft NPPF & Consultee Role Consultation published 5 March 2018 (closes 10 May) Key SuDS paragraphs: 161: incorporates SuDS 163: LLFA advice, minimum operational standards & provide multi-functional benefits Other paragraphs of importance: 118 Overlap/integration with open space provision 122 Capacity of infrastructure 32 Neighbourhood Plans For delivery of our role: New paragraph supports provisions of multi-functional space Strengthens position of LLFA policy/advice May work to overcome issues where there is weak or no specific LPA policy in SuDS provision However: Highlights clarification needed in PPG Integration across design principles for open space
In conclusion Team benefits from Close working relationship with all partners Sitting next to biodiversity officers Demonstrated value of pre-application service Strong relationships with house-builders and consultants Trust and openness Efficiency in review of subsequent submissions Kent benefits from retained in-house knowledge & experience