Standard 5 - Amenity

Ensuring high quality visual impact and maximising amenity benefits delivered by SuDS will involve different disciplines working together. This collaborative approach is necessary both for the design team and our consultees. Experts or disciplines who should have an input on the SuDS design include: 

  • engineers
  • arboriculturists (existing trees)
  • ecologists
  • landscape architects
  • ground investigators (and environmental health)

The engineers should use the site investigations and arboricultural information to inform their design. In turn, they should work in tandem with the ecologist and landscape architects to ensure that amenity and biodiversity aims are being achieved, and that SuDS features maximise the delivery of ecology and landscaping benefits. This means that the use of space on the site is more efficient, as opposed to a disparate design when each discipline is considered in isolation.

Designers should use the Arun Design Guide SPD and the Open Space, Playing Pitches, Indoor and Built Facilities SPD to inform their designs. These both contain information about landscaping and amenity and carry full policy weight.   

The drainage statement should acknowledge how the existing site has influenced the design, make note of any specific ecology or landscaping requirements and include an explanation of the landscaping and ecology constraints and opportunities, which is specific to the design.

For example, this could include: 

  • reference to where impermeable liners are located and their depth below surface
  • the location of pipes and other drainage features, and what protection would be necessary if proposed trees are planted in their vicinity
  • a description and plan of any areas that may be at risk of waterlogging or drought, including reference to the likely frequency of this occurring
  • reference to any features that have a permanent water depth
  • reference to the depth of open drainage features so that health and safety risk can be considered
  • soil and aggregate specifications for SuDS amenity features which align with the NSfS

Small site exceptions

The use of open features, water butts and permeable paving all have multifunctional benefit, and a combination of their use can be assumed to demonstrate compliance for applications where the increase in roof area is 250m2 or less without further assessment.