How critical is the planning of drainage for a commercial project and how do you ensure smooth running and ongoing compliance?
For schemes like this, typically the scale and cost will dwarf any domestic work – and as such, the risks are also higher. How you design and schedule your drainage can affect everything from initial planning consent to long-term maintenance costs and even flood risks.
Before you start designing
As with any project, the most cost-effective way to tackle challenges is to anticipate and address them in advance. So before you break ground, be sure to clarify your site condition factors, such as:
- Soil types
- Groundwater sources
- Existing sewers
- Any history of flooding
You’ll also need accurate information regarding the capacity of public sewers, nearby watercourses and the feasibility of infiltration on site. And you might need to incorporate measures like attenuation tanks and permeable car parks, to satisfy Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) standards.
Early stakeholder engagement
Any commercial project drainage planning will require consultation with the relevant local planning authority. Other organisations you may have to link in with include:
- The Environment Agency
- Internal Drainage Board
- Utilities providers
- Highways Authorities
Remember, it’s important that you engage with the relevant parties earlier rather than later.
A pre-application discussion about commercial drainage planning may well flag issues that would be costly to address at an advanced stage. Save yourself the risk of significant redesigns, unnecessary costs and project delays by opening these stakeholder conversations in a timely manner.
Key legislation and standards
When drainage planning for commercial projects, there are several frameworks that could inform your decision making. These could be key to securing the approvals you need – and again, could help prevent you having to make costly corrections later on:
- Flood and Water Management Act 2010: Depending on implementation, may require drainage systems to be approved against national SuDS standards (see below) before work starts
- National Standards for SuDS: Created to guide surface water drainage design for new infrastructure and development
- Approved Document H Building Regulations: Covers the regulations for foul water drainage and disposal in England
And increasingly, local authorities will publish their own SuDS guidance, with specific requirements and expectations for commercial projects in the region.
Next steps
Being aware of the above requirements reduces risk to your commercial drainage planning – but partnering with a professional can secure peace-of-mind. Avoid pitfalls like failing to commission the correct surveys, or ignoring site constraints, to ensure your plans are compliant.
To discuss your commercial project planning requirements further with an expert, please get in touch.