SLP KDBH Extracts - Flipbook - Page 105
significant potential to save water and energy, and reduce the carbon footprint of the water
system. This accords with guidance in the NPPF, which requires local planning authorities to
adopt proactive strategies to adapt to climate change.
339.
The Environment Agency is
promoting the use of sustainable
drainage techniques as a means
of contributing to the requirements
of the Water Framework Directive
and reducing flood risk, as well as
for wider benefits, such as the
conservation
of
biodiversity,
enhancement of the amenity of
urban areas and to assist in
adaptation to climate change. The
NPPF gives priority to the use of
sustainable drainage systems in
areas at risk of flooding and for
major development. Sustainable
drainage systems assist with the
provision of green infrastructure,
supported by the NPPF and the
Council’s Green Infrastructure
study.
340.
Sustainable drainage systems will be required for all development Developers will be
expected to design in these requirements at an early stage in the development of new
proposals, and to demonstrate that the proposed solution will maximise the benefits to the
water environment. The Council does not regard underground storage tanks only as an
appropriate sustainable drainage system, and will require at least one surface feature to be
deployed within the drainage system for a development site for water quality purposes, with
more features where runoff may contain higher levels of pollutants.
341.
Control of discharge rates from new and previously developed sites is an important part of
flood risk management, supporting the NPPF by utilising opportunities offered by new
development to reduce the causes and impacts of flooding, and the overall level of risk in the
area and beyond. Ensuring that new developments discharge to greenfield rates reduces the
wider impact, whilst limiting discharge rates associated with previously developed sites will
reduce pressure on existing watercourses and sewer systems.
342.
The Environment Agency’s Catchment Flood Management Plans provide an overview of
flood risk across river catchments and recommend ways in which risks now and in the future
can be managed. New development in the Borough will be expected to contribute towards
the policy objectives of the Catchment Flood Management Plans. Most of the Borough lies
within the Mid Staffordshire and Lower Tame policy unit within the Trent Catchment Flood
Management Plan, where the objective is to take action to store water or manage runoff in
locations that provide overall flood risk reduction or environmental benefits locally or
elsewhere in the catchment. The western part of the Borough adjacent to Birmingham, and
the eastern part adjoining Coventry lie in the Birmingham and Black Country, and the
Coventry Cluster policy units in the Severn Catchment Flood Management Plan respectively.
The Catchment Flood Management Plan objective in these areas is to take further action to
reduce flood risk. Reinstatement of the natural floodplain, the de-culverting and improvement
of on-site watercourses also helps contribute towards the objectives of the Humber River
Basin Management Plan and achieving the Water Framework Directive target of each water
body within the Borough achieving good status.
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