Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems & Surface Water Drainage Design
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems & Surface Water Drainage Design
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) are environmentally responsible methods of managing surface water. They mimic natural processes by slowing water flow and disposing of water as close to its source as possible. Beyond effective water management, SuDS can enhance biodiversity and community wellbeing through the integration of green infrastructure, creating valuable habitats and amenity spaces.
Delivering a practical, cost-effective SuDS design depends on the scale of your development and the conditions on site. The right approach varies from one project to the next, and getting the design right from the outset is key to keeping your project moving smoothly.
Smaller residential sites often require BRE365 percolation testing and soakaway design to establish whether infiltration is feasible. Larger developments typically need a management train approach, combining several SuDS features to manage surface water across the whole site.
In every case, a robust, buildable SuDS design — supported where required by a compliant SuDS report — is essential to securing planning approval and discharging surface water conditions. At Nimbus Engineering, we provide the most feasible and cost-effective drainage design solutions to get your project underway efficiently.
Are SuDS Compulsory?
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) are a key requirement for most new developments across the UK, with Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) and the relevant water authorities expecting surface water to be managed sustainably. In practice, planning approval is unlikely to be granted — and conditions relating to surface water discharge may not be discharged — unless your proposals include a suitable and compliant SuDS design.
At Nimbus Engineering, we have a proven track record of delivering accurate calculations and detailed designs, supported by clear, practical drawings. We work closely with our clients and liaise with the appropriate authorities to ensure the most effective and feasible solutions are implemented — designs that not only gain planning approval but are also buildable on site.
Our SuDS designs are tailored to include as much or as little detail as the relevant local authority requires. Depending on your site and the stage of your application, this may include:
What’s Included in a Sustainable Drainage Design?
The level of detail required in a SuDS design is determined by the local planning authority, and varies depending on whether the site lies within a Critical Drainage Area and whether the development is classified as minor or major. Ensuring your SuDS design meets these requirements is essential for securing planning approval and discharging planning conditions related to surface water management.
At Nimbus Engineering, our SuDS designs are tailored to the expectations of the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and the relevant water authority, and can include:
- Pre- and post-development surface water run-off calculations
- Greenfield run-off rate calculations
- Pre- and post-development contributing area and exceedance route plans
- BRE365 percolation and infiltration testing
- BRE365 soakaway sizing calculations
- Surface water attenuation calculations
- Assessment of the SuDS hierarchy in line with local and national policy
- A proposed SuDS strategy aligned with planning policy requirements
- Outline SuDS design layout plans
- Detailed SuDS design plans suitable for construction
- Management and maintenance plans for the lifetime of the development
Whether you need a buildable SuDS design to discharge a pre-commencement condition, or a standalone SuDS report to validate a planning application, our team produces compliant, planning-ready drainage designs for developments across the UK.
Nimbus SuDS Design Services
As experienced Civil and Environmental Engineers, our team has extensive experience designing the full range of Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) features. We select and design the most appropriate combination for your site, following the SuDS hierarchy to manage surface water as close to its source as possible. The SuDS features we design include:
- Soakaways
- Attenuation devices and tanks
- Permeable paving
- Swales
- Filter strips
- Wetlands and ponds
- Rainwater harvesting systems
- Green roofs
- Infiltration basins
- Infiltration trenches
- Detention basins
- Filter drains
- Bioretention areas and raingardens
The right SuDS design depends on your site’s geology, topography and infiltration potential, as well as the requirements of the Lead Local Flood Authority. We assess each of these factors to design a compliant, cost-effective and buildable drainage strategy that supports your planning application. Where your application also needs supporting calculations and documentation, we can provide a full SuDS report alongside the design.
If you’d like more information on the SuDS design services we provide, or you’d like to obtain a quote, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at info@nimbusengineering.co.uk or call 0800 061 4916.
Customer Reviews
“I am very happy with the work Nimbus have carried out for me over the last 10 years. They always deliver a good service at a very good price and always high quality reports and fast turn around. They have carried out work on many of my projects in Croydon and I have never had a problem with their work.”
“I have worked with Nimbus Engineering for many years. I can always count on them to deliver comprehensive flood risk assessments, drainage strategy and SuDS reports, on time and at a competitive price. More importantly, I can’t think of a single occasion where a council has not accepted the report’s.”
“I have used Nimbus Engineering for a number of projects over the last 10 years and have always found them to be flexible, highly skilled and great value for money. Anyone looking for Flood Risk and/or Sustainable Urban Drainage System advice need look no further, Nimbus have the solution.”
Get A Quote Today
Get in touch with Nimbus Engineering Consultants for SuDS design, drainage strategy, or general engineering enquiries. Our team will be happy to provide advice or a quotation for your project.
