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Written question asked by George Hollingbery (Conservative) on Thursday, 12 February 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 February 2015. It was answered by Dan Rogerson (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 23 February 2015 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Sewers: Property Development

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the comparative costs of (a) connecting new minor developments to surface water main drainage and (b) utilising sustainable drainage systems for such developments in the next five years.

Answer

Defra Research & Development project WT1505 provides estimates of the comparative costs of sustainable drainage (SuDS) versus conventional drainage (to Building Regulations) for a minor development as follows:

Small site
(<0.2ha, 8 properties, 1 outfall)

Capital (construction) costs

Maintenance costs (per annum)

SuDS (£)

Conventional
(£)

SuDS (£)

Conventional (£)

Cost estimate (SuDS: “normal” permeability)

44,000

59,200

248

188

These estimates relate to what the research classed as “normal” permeability.

Using SuDS on sites with different permeability levels could incur higher or lower construction and maintenance costs. However, under the Government’s approach there is a presumption that conventional approaches to drainage can be used where construction costs would otherwise be higher.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
224543
Session
2014-15
Subjects
Property development Sewers
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk