National Standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems
In June 2025, Defra published the National Standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems. This is a material consideration in the planning process and should be considered alongside the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Flood Risk and Coastal Change Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) and Local Planning policy (which is also summarised within our Flood Risk Guidance for Development).
The revised National Planning Policy Framework was published in August 2026 and made explicit reference in policy F8 that SuDS should be designed in accordance with the National Standards.
As such, new applications submitted after the 1 November 2026 will be assessed in detail against the National Standards. This however does not mean the Standards do not apply to present development proposals and the Standards may be used on a light-touch basis to support the LLFA’s statutory responses.
To provide suitable evidence against the National Standards, it is highly recommended that the “SuDS Strategy Template for Major Development” proforma is completed alongside drainage strategy reports; such reports should provide clear headings for each Standard and evidence / justification for each clause as relevant. The proforma is available from the Planning Portal website here.