LLFA compliant Drainage Strategies

The Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) for Hertfordshire became a statutory consultee on 15th April 2015 in relation to the management of surface water drainage. Discussions with our Clients have identified that the LLFA technical requirements for Flood Risk Assessments and Drainage Strategies has been a major stumbling block for planning applications. This is primarily down to the increase in the amount of detail required at the earlier stages of the planning process and justification of Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) selection. To help planning consultants understand the requirements of the LLFA, Stomor has produced a briefing note that sets out what the LLFA will need in order to satisfy their requirements. It also sets out what information would be required and the role of the Client and Planning Architect in the process. We have held detailed meetings with the LLFA and, as such, have a thorough understanding of their requirements and the information they are looking for. Stomor has recently produced a Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy for a proposed new 2FE primary school to be located in Bishop’s Stortford. These proposals have been agreed with the Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) LLFA, who provided the following response (dated January 2016). “The applicant has provided sufficient detail to demonstrate that there is a feasible drainage scheme for the site, including rain gardens, swales, ponds and permeable pavements. The proposed layout for the development makes the provision of sustainable drainage features which they have demonstrated is a feasible option to provide the required attenuation volume.”