East Lothian Local Development Plan 2018 Proposed Supplementary Planning Guidance - Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)

Overview

The East Lothian Local Development Plan 2018 (ELLDP) comprises a development strategy for the future development of East Lothian to 2024 and beyond, a detailed policy framework for guiding development, and proposals maps. It sets out where new development should and should not occur, including new housing, education, economic and retail development, new transport links, and other infrastructure. It sets out the detailed policies used to determine planning applications.

Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) expands upon existing policies and proposals and is used to support the content of the Local Development Plan 2018. It is particularly important when extensive detail is required for a specific area.  This allows the Local Development Plan 2018 to focus on the overall spatial strategy and the key policies and proposals.  Supplementary Planning Guidance is subject to extensive consultation and formal adoption procedures which allows it to form part of the Local Development Plan 2018 with greater weight than previously.

This consultation is on the proposed Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Supplementary Planning Guidance.  Policy NH10 of the LDP 2018 sets out the requirements for SuDS to be integrated into development layouts and for their long term management and maintenance to be agreed at the planning application stage.  Existing guidance on SuDS is typically generic and focusses primarily on the engineering details of their design and functionality, and the regulatory process and standards that must be complied with in order to achieve relevant consents from regulatory bodies.

This SPG aims to provide a more simple and straighforward guide to the functionality of each type of SuDS feature, the benefits of each SuDS type, where they can be most appropriately sited, requirements for maintenance, and recommendations for ensuring safety for users. Overall, the SPG assists the design, masterplanning and planning stages by providing a more locally specific guide on where each type of SuDS feature functions most successfully in terms of achieving urban design benefits, improved water quality, habitat creation, and opportunities for recreation and improved human health.    

Your views are being sought on the content of the SuDS SPG. Comments can be made by completing the online survey (see below).

Alternatively, comments can be submitted via email to: ldp@eastlothian.gov.uk, or by post to: Policy & Strategy Team, East Lothian Council, Brewery Park, Haddington EH41 3HA. 

Comments made via email or post must be received at the office of the Planning Authority by no later than 5pm on Friday 19th April 2019.

Why your views matter

We are seeking your views on the proposed Sustainable Drainage Systems Supplementary Planning Guidance. The Council will take your views into account prior to finalising this SPG. 

What happens next

Thank you for completing the consultation. The Council will consider your comments prior to the next stages towards adoption of the Sustainable Drainage Systems SPG.