New guidance on funding SuDS maintenance

The UK Government has published new guidance on how to fund the maintenance of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) on new developments in England, bringing potential implications for grounds maintenance contractors.

A number of different mechanisms have been used to fund SuDS maintenance in the past, depending on their location and the funding source, but this guidance is based on the use of so-called commuted sums.

Commuted sums are one-off or staged payments, typically made from developers to public bodies, which cover the future costs of new infrastructure, such as roads, play areas, and SuDS on new developments.

The government admits this approach comes with limitations and risks but claims it can also help to reduce the financial burden on householders and potential exposure of local authorities when compared to the use of private management companies.

Maintenance contractors may also benefit from the new guidance; for example, the focus on whole-life costing – covering acquisition, operation, maintenance, and decommission – could lead to more stable, longer-term contracts.

And the definition of maintenance in the document, as a process which applies equally to hard and soft engineering assets, may lead to more opportunities for those specialising in soft landscapes than before.

The full guidance document, which the government hopes will lead to a more consistent and transparent approach from developers and public bodies but is not legally binding, can be found on gov.uk.