Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements
Get in touchThe Flood Protection Associates prepares Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements for developments and across the UK. The company helps developers, architects and planning professionals manage surface water effectively, satisfy planning requirements and support sustainable development through clear, evidence-based drainage documentation.
What Are Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements?
Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements are technical planning documents that explain how surface water and foul water will be managed for a proposed development. The Flood Protection Associates prepares reports that support planning applications, reduce flood risk and demonstrate compliance with drainage policies from the earliest design stage.
A drainage strategy considers rainfall runoff, discharge rates, infiltration potential, existing drainage networks and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). The level of detail depends on the size, location and complexity of the proposed development.
What Types of Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements Are Available?
Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements are prepared for different development types and planning requirements. The Flood Protection Associates produces reports that reflect site-specific conditions, planning policy and drainage design principles.
Outline Drainage Strategies – Prepared during the early planning stage to demonstrate drainage feasibility.
Detailed Drainage Strategies – Include hydraulic calculations, discharge proposals and SuDS layouts for larger developments.
Drainage Statements – Suitable for smaller planning applications where a concise assessment is appropriate.
SuDS Strategies – Focus on sustainable drainage features such as attenuation basins, permeable paving and swales.
Planning Support Reports – Produced alongside Flood Risk Assessments and other technical planning documents where required.
When Are Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements Needed?
Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements are typically required before planning permission is granted for developments that change surface water runoff. The Flood Protection Associates prepares assessments before planning submission so drainage issues can be addressed early and unnecessary delays reduced.
Reports are commonly required for:
Residential developments.
Commercial and industrial sites.
Schools and healthcare projects.
Mixed-use developments.
Redevelopment of previously developed land.
Sites where local planning authorities request drainage information.
Preparing a drainage strategy early can help avoid redesign work later in the planning process.
How Do Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements Work?
Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements follow a structured technical assessment. The Flood Protection Associates develops recommendations using recognised engineering and planning principles.
Review available site information, planning requirements and drainage records.
Assess topography, drainage constraints and runoff characteristics.
Evaluate infiltration potential and suitable drainage solutions.
Develop a surface water management strategy incorporating SuDS where appropriate.
Produce the completed Drainage Strategy or Drainage Statement for planning submission.
The process typically takes between 1 and 4 weeks, depending on the project size, available information and supporting surveys.
Who Needs Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements?
Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements support planning applications across a wide range of sectors. The Flood Protection Associates works with clients who require technically robust drainage reports for new developments and redevelopment projects.
Typical clients include:
Property developers.
Housebuilders.
Architects.
Planning consultants.
Commercial property owners.
Local organisations managing development projects.
Landowners preparing planning applications.
How Much Do Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements Cost?
Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements typically cost from around £500 to £3,000+, depending on development size, drainage complexity and supporting technical work. The Flood Protection Associates provides quotations based on the individual requirements of each project.
Typical cost ranges include:
Small residential developments: approximately £500–£900.
Medium-sized developments: approximately £900–£1,800.
Large or complex developments: typically £1,800–£3,000+.
Factors influencing costs include:
Site area.
Existing drainage infrastructure.
SuDS requirements.
Hydraulic modelling.
Additional surveys or supporting reports.
Local planning authority requirements.
Final costs are confirmed following a review of the proposed development.
What Are the Benefits of Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements?
Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements help developments manage water responsibly while supporting planning compliance. The Flood Protection Associates prepares reports that reduce planning risks and encourage sustainable drainage design.
Key benefits include:
Supports planning applications with clear technical evidence.
Demonstrates appropriate surface water management.
Encourages Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).
Helps reduce flood risk on and around development sites.
Identifies suitable discharge methods.
Assists coordination with planning authorities and drainage consultees.
What Regulations Apply to Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements?
Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements are prepared with reference to UK planning policy and drainage guidance. The Flood Protection Associates considers relevant legislation and technical standards appropriate to each development.
Depending on the project, reports may reference:
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Planning Practice Guidance relating to flood risk and drainage.
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) guidance.
Local planning authority drainage policies.
Environment Agency guidance where applicable.
Lead Local Flood Authority requirements where relevant.
The exact requirements vary between planning authorities and development proposals.
Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements: Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Drainage Strategy or Drainage Statement take?
Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements are commonly completed within 1 to 4 weeks. Larger developments or projects requiring additional surveys or hydraulic modelling may require additional time before the final report is issued.
How much does a Drainage Strategy cost?
Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements generally start from around £500, with more detailed reports often ranging between £900 and £3,000+ depending on site size, complexity and planning requirements.
Are Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements required for every planning application?
Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements are not required for every application. Requirements depend on the development size, local planning authority policies, flood risk and whether drainage issues need to be addressed as part of planning.
Can a Drainage Strategy include Sustainable Drainage Systems?
Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements frequently incorporate Sustainable Drainage Systems such as permeable paving, swales, attenuation tanks and infiltration features where site conditions make them suitable and practical.
Can Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements be prepared alongside Flood Risk Assessments?
Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements are often prepared together with Flood Risk Assessments for planning applications. Combining both reports can provide a coordinated assessment of flood risk and surface water management.
Get a Free Quote for Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements
The Flood Protection Associates prepares professional Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements for developments throughout and across the UK. Contact the team to discuss your planning requirements and receive a tailored quotation.
Related Drainage Strategy & Drainage Statements Services
Drainage strategies are regularly prepared alongside surface water drainage assessments to manage runoff across new developments.
Many schemes also incorporate SuDS design to deliver sustainable, policy-compliant drainage solutions.
Ground infiltration is often assessed through percolation testing, helping determine whether soakaways are suitable.
Where infiltration drainage is appropriate, our soakaway design service provides engineered solutions based on site conditions.
Flood risk considerations are integrated through Flood Risk Assessments, ensuring drainage proposals support wider flood resilience objectives.
Developers can also benefit from planning condition discharge support to secure approval for drainage-related planning conditions.