4th Floor
Silverstream House
45 Fitzroy Street
London
W1T 6EB
Silverstream House
45 Fitzroy Street
London
W1T 6EB
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4th Floor, Silverstream House, 45 Fitzroy Street, London, W1T 6EB
E: info@kelpstudio.co.uk
T: 020 3835 2633
M: 07561 417319
Blog
Drainage is no longer a below-ground afterthought. The new NPPF makes that clear.
13 October 2026
The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), published on 29 September 2026, changes how surface water drainage must be approached. SuDS are now expected for development that could affect drainage on or around the site, and they must be designed in line with the new National Standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems.
Policy F8 requires development that could affect drainage on or around the site to include SuDS that control runoff rates and volumes, in proportion to the scale of the scheme, and to deliver wider benefits for water quality, biodiversity and amenity where possible. SuDS must be designed to the National Standards, maintained for the life of the development and, on major schemes, take account of advice from the Lead Local Flood Authority.
Drainage is no longer a below-ground afterthought. The new NPPF makes that clear.
13 October 2026
The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), published on 29 September 2026, changes how surface water drainage must be approached. SuDS are now expected for development that could affect drainage on or around the site, and they must be designed in line with the new National Standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems.
Policy F8 requires development that could affect drainage on or around the site to include SuDS that control runoff rates and volumes, in proportion to the scale of the scheme, and to deliver wider benefits for water quality, biodiversity and amenity where possible. SuDS must be designed to the National Standards, maintained for the life of the development and, on major schemes, take account of advice from the Lead Local Flood Authority.
What the National Standards bring
They set clearer expectations on:
• The drainage hierarchy
• Management of the first 5mm of rainfall
• Runoff rates and volumes
• Water quality
• Biodiversity and amenity
Why it matters for layouts
Surface water now has to be considered from the very start. Drainage and SuDS need to be built into site layouts early, rather than treated as a below-ground exercise once the wider design is fixed.
The revised policy is a material consideration for planning applications now being decided. Progressing a layout without an upfront drainage strategy now puts planning approval at significant risk.
How Kelp Studio can help
At Kelp Studio, we provide creative, compliant and cost-effective civil engineering solutions from day one. Our team can help you navigate these changes, de-risk your layouts and secure the drainage information your planning application needs.
Our SuDS & drainage design services →
They set clearer expectations on:
• The drainage hierarchy
• Management of the first 5mm of rainfall
• Runoff rates and volumes
• Water quality
• Biodiversity and amenity
Why it matters for layouts
Surface water now has to be considered from the very start. Drainage and SuDS need to be built into site layouts early, rather than treated as a below-ground exercise once the wider design is fixed.
The revised policy is a material consideration for planning applications now being decided. Progressing a layout without an upfront drainage strategy now puts planning approval at significant risk.
How Kelp Studio can help
At Kelp Studio, we provide creative, compliant and cost-effective civil engineering solutions from day one. Our team can help you navigate these changes, de-risk your layouts and secure the drainage information your planning application needs.
Our SuDS & drainage design services →
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