Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas

architectural integrity, as this is the most likely way that they will be
properly maintained and retained as part of our cultural heritage.
(c) Flooding risk
4.28 The location of major new residential development will be
determined by the development plan, and increasingly the impact of
climate change and the potential for increased incidences of flooding
or increased rates of coastal erosion are factors which must be
considered in this process. 17 In addition, at a local level the planning
process can further mitigate the potential for flooding by promoting
sustainable approaches to urban drainage and through the design
and layout of new development.
4.29 Residential areas may contain a variety of land uses including
dwellings, parking areas, shops, schools and other community
facilities. It is thus important when assessing the disposition of uses
in a residential layout in areas where there is a potential for flooding
to locate the least vulnerable uses in the highest risk areas e.g.
waterside locations can be appropriate as amenity, recreational or
parking areas in a development. Factoring in flood risk in this
manner from the earliest stage in a development can contribute to
more effective flood management as well as providing green spaces
with consequential social and environmental benefits, thus
contributing to a more sustainable form of development.
4.30 Flood risk can also be mitigated by improvements in the resilience of
building design and construction to the effects of flooding.
(d) Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)
4.31 The extent of paved and other hard surface areas reduces the capacity
of the soil to absorb run-off and may increase the risk of flash
flooding. A sustainable approach to urban drainage encompasses a
whole range of sustainable approaches to surface water drainage
management including:
• Source control measures including rainwater recycling and
drainage;
• Infiltration devices to allow water to soak into the ground
including individual soak-aways and communal facilities;
17 The (consultation draft) Guidelines on Flood Risk Management demonstrate how this
can be achieved.
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Planning Guidelines