Consultation: Sustainable Drainage Systems in new housing developments

Views sought on policies to ensure nature-based drainage solutions are integrated into future housing developments.

The Department for Infrastructure has launched a public consultation on Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in new housing developments.

This initial consultation focuses on developing and implementing new policies and regulatory arrangements to ensure nature-based SuDS, such as grassed swales, raingardens and detention ponds are provided in new housing developments in the future. The widespread implementation of nature-based SuDS will be key to tackling the challenges of climate change, managing flood risk and limiting the impact of new developments on the existing drainage networks across the region.

The consultation also aims to explain the main considerations, as well as gathering essential information and opinions on key policy areas, potential implementation challenges, and opportunities to promote the wider uptake of SuDS.

Find out more about the consultation and how to respond.

The closing date for responses is Friday 19 December 2025.

First published 22 September 2025