Defra has postponed the target start date to introduce compulsory legislation for sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) in England and Wales.
In a letter to stakeholders, the environment department said that the October 2014 starting date for new local authority SuDS approving bodies (SABS) had been scrapped.
Defra says it will announce details soon of its plans to implement schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act, which will require companies to seek approval from an SAB for drainage systems to manage surface runoff in construction projects before work can begin.
The delay is because of concern in the government that a requirement for SuDS could hinder development. The letter states that the government remains committed to implementing SuDS but not in a way that has any adverse impact on development. However,
Alex Stephenson, chair of the British Water sustainable water management focus group, said: “SuDS legislation isa vital element of measures to combat surface-water flooding.”