Barnet Council has officially adopted new national standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), aiming to enhance the borough's resilience to flooding and improve environmental quality.
The Environment Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee met on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, to discuss and endorse the draft Cabinet report on the adoption of the 2025 National Standards for SuDS, published by Defra. The Cabinet was scheduled to formally adopt the standards on September 15, 2026.
The 2025 National Standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), published by Defra in July 2025, aim to replace the previous Non-Statutory Technical Standards for SuDS (March 2015). These new standards provide additional information for designers, property developers, local authorities, and other interested parties, and are intended for application in the design of surface water drainage systems for new infrastructure and developments. Their adoption will ensure that Barnet Council's assessment of sustainable drainage proposals within planning applications aligns with new national policy and reflects best practice in sustainable drainage design.
As the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), Barnet Council is responsible for ensuring that new developments effectively manage surface water runoff. The adoption of these new national standards will formalise and strengthen the council's existing best practices in this area. The council, as the LLFA, is responsible for ensuring new developments appropriately manage surface water runoff. The adoption of the new national standards will strengthen the council's position in requiring new developments to adhere to these standards.
The new standards are expected to align the council's assessment of sustainable drainage proposals with national policy, provide greater certainty for developers and planning officers through a clear and consistent framework, and position the council at the forefront of sustainable drainage practice. The adoption of the new SuDS standards is unlikely to have significant financial or logistical impacts for developers, as Barnet Council has already been implementing many of these principles informally as best practice.
Barnet Council has already been implementing many of these principles informally. The report highlighted the success of existing SuDS schemes in areas such as Woodcroft Park, Rushgrove Park, and Lindhurst in the Mead, which have not only managed rainwater but also enhanced biodiversity. The adoption of the new SuDS standards is intended to contribute to a more resilient and climate-adapted borough. The new standards will help ensure future developments contribute positively to creating a greener, more resilient, and climate-adapted borough.
Councillor Josh Tapper commented on the importance of updating the website with the new guidance for developers once the standards are formally adopted by Cabinet. Rishi Sayal, Senior Flood Risk Manager, confirmed that the plan is to update the council's website with the new guidance, linking to the updated standards and strategies, following formal adoption by Cabinet.
Public reports pack 02nd-Sep-2026 19.00 Environment Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee
Agenda frontsheet 02nd-Sep-2026 19.00 Environment Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee
