If you have an upcoming development in the London area which requires a sustainable drainage strategy, completion of the London Sustainable Drainage Proforma may be required.
In 2019, the Proforma was launched in 33 of London’s Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs).
In this article, we will discuss what the Proforma is, where it applies, why you need it, and what needs to be included in it.
What is the London Sustainable Drainage Proforma?
The London Sustainable Drainage Proforma is a document that developers must submit as part of their Sustainable Drainage strategy (SuDS).
It applies to 33 London Local Authorities and is required as part of their planning applications. It presents the information clearly and concisely to Planning Authorities and shows them that the SuDS hierarchy has been followed, and supports the Flood Risk Assessment and SuDS report that has been provided to accompany the planning application.
You can access your authority’s information, and resources, and download the Proforma through the government’s website.
Why is the London Sustainable Drainage Proforma Needed?
The Proforma aims to set a standard for developers to ensure they submit the exact sustainable drainage design information needed by the Local Authority in their initial planning applications, so they can confirm that the SuDS report contains the information they require. This also helps achieve greater consistency throughout the London Councils regarding application requirements and LLFA information requests.
It’s a win-win for developers and Local Authorities as it helps reduce the need for submitting additional information, saving time and money on both sides. This also reduces the risk of delays in an already lengthy planning assessment process.
You should use the London Sustainable Drainage Proforma to streamline the key outputs from your SuDS report to allow your Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) to quickly assess compliance with planning policy.
When Do I Need to Submit a London Sustainable Drainage Proforma?
If your development requires a Sustainable Drainage strategy and it’s in one of the 33 London areas, you must submit the Proforma as part of your planning application.
In simple terms, a SuDS strategy is required by National Planning Policy if your development meets the following conditions:
- A development with more than 10 dwellings
- Commercial Floorspace over 1000m2
- Development is located within an area at risk of flooding or within an area identified as having critical drainage problems
- The specific local authority requires a SuDS report as a part of the validation process
What Do I Put in the London Sustainable Drainage Proforma?
The Proforma you download from the government website has a template that details what you need to fill out each section with.
The document divides into four sections:
- Site information, including the project outline and development proposal.
- Your proposed discharge plan plus what the existing drainage is, what the ground condition and infiltration rate are.
- The drainage strategy – proposed SuDS measures and how this will impact surface water runoff rates at your site.
- Any supporting information – SuDS designs, maintenance strategies and other summarising information.
The London Sustainable Drainage Proforma shouldn’t affect your plans for your development as much as it will help you reduce costs and delays of submitting a planning application that is missing crucial elements.
Filling out the Proforma with detail is crucial to illustrate how your development meets Planning Policy and drainage strategy guidelines.
If you’d like to talk to an expert about the London Sustainable Drainage Proforma and how it will impact your development, just get in touch with us, and we will be happy to help, as we complete these regularly and have worked with all 33 Lead Local Flooding Authorities within London.
Choose Nimbus for your SuDS Design
As Civil Engineering and Environmental consultants, we can give you early-stage advice for sustainable drainage designs to integrate into your development, allowing you to work around any constraints or risks in a natural and ecological way.
If you need a SuDS report, Flood Risk Assessment or Drainage Strategy Report, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an expert here at Nimbus Engineering. Our close relationship with the Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFA) means that you get the right solution for your project, no matter the size and location.