At a recent Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Questions in the House of Commons, Tom Randall MP encouraged the Government to introduce a new planning law that requires housing developers to install drainage on building sites first.
Gedling’s Conservative Member of Parliament, Tom Randall said “My understanding is that the framework currently states that housing developers only have to ensure that drainage is in place for a building site once the last house is completed. For residents in Orchard Close in Burton Joyce in my constituency, that was too little, too late, because heavy rain and insufficient drainage from a building site at the top of the hill caused their road to flood, damaging the street and property. I am looking into a similar situation at a building site in Hamilton Close in Arnold.”
Tom went on to ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: “I understand Gedling Borough Council is looking at introducing a supplementary planning document to require developers to install drainage first. Will the Government consider introducing such a requirement nationally, so that others do not have to go through what some of my Gedling residents have gone through?"
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities replied: “As well as being a brilliant constituency Member of Parliament [Tom Randall MP] makes an important point that will resonate with many Members across this House. I hope that we will be able to see more about sustainable drainage systems in the National Planning Policy Framework.”
Speaking after Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Questions, Tom said: “All building works create noise and dust but far too many also cause neighbouring roads and properties to flood as a result of water runoff from the site.
“This is because site drainage is often installed last, which is something I am trying to change in Parliament and I am pleased that the Government also hopes to see sustainable derange systems included in the NPPF which has recently been subject to a public consultation and will be responded to shortly.”