England · National documents
National standards for sustainable drainage systems
Sets out seven non-statutory standards for surface-water drainage, covering runoff, flood risk, water quality, amenity, biodiversity and maintenance.
AI-generated summaries of the linked official sources; not editorially reviewed. Sources and limits
Where this document applies
England: surface-water drainage design for new infrastructure and development; retrofit application is qualified in the source.
National standards for sustainable drainage systems (official source, opens in a new tab) · Documents; Details
Drainage has several connected objectives
The standards address where runoff goes, everyday and extreme rainfall, water quality, amenity, biodiversity and the system’s lifecycle. A proposal needs to consider those connected functions rather than presenting storage volume as the only design question.
Read the official source (official source, opens in a new tab) · Standards 1–7
The standards are non-statutory
The publisher describes these as non-statutory standards for England. They are designed for new infrastructure and development; retrofit schemes can face different objectives and constraints. Relevant consent and regulatory requirements remain separate.
Read the official source (official source, opens in a new tab) · Introduction; How the national standards work; The regulatory framework
Limits and checks
- This national source does not establish the local policies, designations or site facts that apply to an individual proposal.
- The publisher identifies these standards as non-statutory. Their wording does not create a separate statutory consent or establish a site-specific drainage design.
Read alongside this document
Put the national source in your local context
Start with the exact refusal reason. Note the policy and paragraph it cites, then check your authority’s policy summary and the facts discussed in relevant appeal decisions. Each appeal turns on its own facts and does not predict another outcome.