News & Insights

Every December, the UK transforms into a cosy patchwork of Christmas markets, mulled-wine stalls, and festive pop-ups. But there’s something else we all notice at this time of year - the mud, the puddles, the soggy walkways, and the sense that we should have worn wellies instead of our nice winter boots.

Data-Led Drainage represents a crucial evolutionary step for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). In an era defined by increasing flood risks and the urgent need for verifiable sustainability, relying on predictive models alone is no longer sufficient. We need definitive proof that our infrastructure is working.

Flooding in England is no longer a localised hazard - it is a national systems challenge. Recent parliamentary reports, including the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee’s latest Flood Resilience in England (HC 550, October 2025), deliver a blunt assessment: the country remains “locked in a pattern of reactive flood management” despite escalating climate risk and growing social and financial costs.

It's been a busy year and we have continued to evolve, expand, and collaborate across our companies. From new office locations to growing teams and exciting educational initiatives, we’ve had a busy and rewarding autumn season. Here’s a look at what’s been happening across JMS Engineers, GC Robertson, MJ Consulting Engineers, and our wider group.

The long-awaited 2026 National SuDS Standards are set to reshape how surface water is managed across the UK. Introduced alongside Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, these standards will make Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) a mandatory part of most new developments.

Urban areas across the UK face growing challenges with surface water flooding. Traditional drainage systems, often reliant on underground pipes, struggle to cope with heavy rainfall events. This is where Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) provide a more resilient solution — and roadside SuDS are becoming a practical, visible part of the change.

During a recent site visit to Nottingham Place, our civil engineering team noticed the fantastic roadside SuDS features installed along Marylebone High Street. These kerbside systems are an excellent demonstration of how Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) can manage surface water while also enhancing the urban environment.

Well-designed SuDS can reduce construction costs by replacing extensive underground drainage infrastructure with surface-based systems like swales and basins. In some developments, this has resulted in double-digit percentage savings compared to conventional drainage designs.

For UK developers, understanding sustainable drainage regulations is now a must. National planning policy requires SuDS in all major developments to manage surface water on-site, with local authorities often imposing stricter standards.

East Anglia’s flat, low-lying landscapes are prone to surface water flooding, yet it is one of the driest regions in the UK. This makes sustainable drainage systems vital for tackling both flooding and water scarcity.

Rapid growth in Essex has increased the importance of sustainable drainage systems in new developments. Many towns, including Chelmsford, face significant surface water flood risks, which are expected to worsen with climate change.

London’s high-density developments face rising flood risk, making sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) a planning priority. The London Plan requires new projects to manage surface water sustainably, with many boroughs mandating green roofs on major developments.

The UK water industry is undergoing a seismic shift. In July 2025, the Government announced the abolition of Ofwat - the Water Services Regulation Authority - in the biggest overhaul of water regulation since privatisation. Ofwat’s functions will be merged with those of the Environment Agency, Natural England, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate to form one powerful regulator overseeing the entire water system.

Understanding how the Environment Agency’s (EA) Flood Risk Standing Advice works can help streamline your planning application - and keep your development moving. At SuDS Designs, we break down what the April 2025 update means for developers, architects, and local planning authorities.

The UK government has announced a consultation, with a proposed overhaul of its Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) funding policy, aiming to simplify the application process and accelerate the delivery of flood resilience projects. This reform is particularly pertinent for communities in East Anglia, where the risks of flooding are escalating due to climate change and urban development.

For planning professionals in Essex and Kent, understanding how to approach a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) in line with the latest guidance is critical to getting planning consent and protecting future occupants. Whether you’re dealing with a site in Flood Zone 2 or 3, or in a Critical Drainage Area, a robust FRA is often a mandatory part of the application process.

Across East Anglia, Local Planning Authorities and Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) are increasingly enforcing sustainable drainage policies to reduce flood risk and protect local water quality. Without a compliant SuDS design, developers risk costly planning delays, redesigns, or outright refusal.

When it comes to planning and designing a sustainable drainage system, getting the details right from the outset is crucial. At SuDS Designs by JMS Civils, we support developers, architects, and planning consultants with SuDS strategies and Flood Risk Assessments that meet national and local policy requirements while also delivering climate resilience and long-term functionality.

The latest Flood Map for Planning update has introduced significant changes to flood risk classifications across England. With the integration of NAFRA2 (National Flood Risk Assessment) and climate change projections, developers, planners, and property owners must reassess how flood risk impacts planning applications, site feasibility, and flood resilience strategies.

The driveway had been freshly resurfaced with impermeable tarmac, leaving rainwater with nowhere to go. With the first heavy downpour, water was already ponding on the surface and spilling straight onto the pavement and into the street.