The adequate provision of water supply and waste water infrastructure is one of the basic essentials of any community or business. Scottish Water is therefore required to prioritise the development of new strategic infrastructure in accordance with its quality investment programme, the spatial priorities identified in the National Planning Framework, and the development priorities identified by local authorities in their development plans.
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) regulates the quality of the water environment. For foul water, most urban areas are served by sewers but private drainage systems may be appropriate in remote rural areas. Surface water from new developments can be reduced or treated in Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).
Policy
National planning policy on water and drainage is set out in the Scottish Planning Policy:
- Drainage assessments will be required for large scale development proposals where drainage is constrained, problematic or there would be off-site effect.
- Local development plans should incorporate the legal requirements for SUDS.
- Planning permission should not be granted unless the proposed arrangements for surface water drainage are adequate.
PAN 79 Water and Drainage sets advice and describes how development plans:
- play a key role in identifying suitable locations for development;
- should include co-operation between local planning authorities and Scottish Water (SW), one of the key agencies;
- accurately reflect water supply and drainage capacity through a shared understanding between planning authorities, SW, SEPA, developers and others.
The Scottish Government has commenced work on a consolidated PAN to replace PAN 61 on Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, PAN 69 on Flooding and PAN 79 on Water and Drainage. In taking forward the consolidated PAN we will work closely with key stakeholders. If you wish to discuss the consolidated PAN in more detail, please contact Simon Pallant by e-mail or by telephoning 0131 244 7761
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