With plans for 1.5 million new homes requiring swathes of land across the country including flood plains, Richard Eddy of Polypipe Building Products discusses how SuDS could be the key for architects, as the sector enters unchartered territory.
Ambitious targets are only ever achieved by taking ambitious actions. So, it is perhaps unsurprising that the UK Government’s aim to build 1.5 million new homes has come with a bold strategy attached.
With large swathes of British land governed by strict green belt restrictions, developers have – for many years – largely relied on building upwards or bulldozed brownfield sites. The trend of more tall buildings will continue, but with so many more homes required, the government has attempted to accelerate housebuilding by changing the rules around where construction can commence, particularly outside of our city centres.
The proposed introduction of ‘brownfield passports’ to build on previously developed land that has fallen into disrepair is one tactic. But another is opening up small parcels of lower-quality green belt land, which is being redesignated as ‘grey belt’ – and deemed suitable for construction.
Building on neglected or entirely new land comes with challenges – not least in making the area safe from increasing threats of water damage. ‘Think tank’ Localis has reported that over 7,000 homes are being planned for sites in flood plains, meaning architects must be putting effective flood planning at the forefront of their blueprints to ensure safe building.
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) will play a key role in the push to ‘Get Britain Building Again’ as the construction sector navigates unfamiliar territory which may come with a heightened risk of flood issues.
The vital role of SuDS
More than 4.6 million UK properties are already at risk from surface water flooding, and with 1.5 million new homes planned for the next five years on new, untested land, there is high urgency for specification of flood systems to be integrated into the planning process.
The added complication is the call to make housing more resilient, as weather conditions are worsening. In 2024, Britain recorded its wettest winter period for 130 years, and a study found that rainfall in the winter season of 2023/24 was 20% more intense due to climate change.
A move towards higher quality drainage methods is clearly necessary, but this is only part of the solution. Specified systems must also be more sustainable – and ensure they do not perpetuate further damage to the environment that can come as a result of intensive building work.
This is why the role of SuDS is so vital. SuDS installations offer an alternative to traditional drainage systems by managing surface water and flood risks in a way that aligns with natural water processes. By mimicking nature, SuDS help to store rainwater, allowing it to infiltrate the ground or release slowly over time. This replicates greenfield natural drainage and reduces the likelihood of flooding whilst improving water quality. It could be the answer that architects will need, as they take safety considerations on board for new developments.
How can architects adopt SuDS?
The mandatory use of SuDS in all new construction projects for developments which are over 100 m2 is still awaiting clearance, despite lengthy previous discussions at top levels. This situation has created a degree of ‘fuzziness’ around the importance of the method and its implementation; but including it in plans now means a chance to avoid further inevitable red tape later down the line.
The effective adoption of SuDS involves implementation at an early design stage – with each drainage system tailored specifically to the site’s unique properties and characteristics.
For example, brownfield land, which may harbour pre-existing properties that can be retrofitted, will require a different approach to installing on former green belt land which has previously been left untouched by the construction world
until now.
There is a need to examine the ways that systems can match the natural water cycle of a particular area, and for an approach that not only enhances environmental sustainability in drainage but also offers long-term safety and cost savings.
The future of SuDS in development
SuDS can take the form of raingardens, green roofs and permeable surfacing – all of which have the ability to collect excess water from rainfall and decrease the pressure on the wider system to prevent flooding.
The transition towards sustainable drainage is not merely a regulatory obligation but a strategic opportunity for architects and the housebuilding industry. SuDS are a core element of sustainable planning and development given their ability to transform urban landscapes into resilient, sustainable and attractive living spaces.
By incorporating permeable surfaces, natural water management, rainwater harvesting, green infrastructure, and smart drainage techniques with the right building products, architects can create resilient, water-efficient, and environmentally friendly spaces. Embracing these solutions is essential for futureproofing communities and fostering a more sustainable built environment which is in the midst of rapid growth.
The widespread adoption of SuDS is going to play a key role as the UK continues to work towards achieving its 300,000+ homes per year target on new land. These systems are representative of the sort of technology that architects must embrace as planning and development transforms and accelerates, over the course of 2025 and beyond.
Richard Eddy is category manager of underground & utilities at Polypipe Building Products