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Policy – Northern Ireland
PROPOSALS FOR SuDS IN NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS
The Northern Ireland Executive is actively considering proposals on the development of future policy to regulate the use of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems in Northern Ireland.
A public consultation found strong backing for embedding nature-based SuDS in new housing developments. But there are unresolved questions over who should approve, maintain and pay for these systems.
The consultation ran from 22 September to 19 December 2025. It asked seven specific questions. The Minister for Infrastructure, Liz Kimmins MLA published a summary report in May 2026. Further work will be done by her officials to develop the detailed regulatory arrangements necessary before another consultation later this year.
The Main Themes Support for the SuDS Management Train
• a strong majority of respondents supported SuDS as the preferred or first-choice drainage approach for new housing developments;
• a SuDS management train was widely regarded as best practice and endorsed by most stakeholders, who recognised its benefits for surface water management, water quality improvement and wider environmental outcomes;
• a management train defines a series of sequential actions rather than a single standalone solution to treat stormwater;
• many stressed that SuDS represents established best practice and should be integrated early- its success depends on early planning, good design and clear long term maintenance responsibility.
Support for Regional SuDS Guidance There was overwhelming support for clear, consistent and regional guidance covering SuDS design, construction, maintenance, asset ownership and long-term stewardship.
Respondents stressed the need for a consistent approach across all council areas. If not, then the risk is that differing approaches may make certain locations more attractive for developers if requirements there are not as onerous. The absence of a clear and consistent framework for asset ownership and long-term
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Minister for Infrastructure, Liz Kimmins MLA
maintenance responsibilities was felt to be an unresolved issue that requires attention.
Support for Making SuDS Mandatory Most respondents supported making SuDS mandatory and pointed to benefits for flood management, climate resilience and water quality. For example: SuDS would ensure that drainage solutions deliver multiple benefits beyond simple runoff management- including improved amenity, biodiversity, and climate resilience. But others cautioned that site-specific constraints- such as limited space, brownfield complexities, contaminated land and heritage considerations- meant some sites could become economically unviable.
As a result, future policy will explore a flexible implementation model that balances the aspiration for widespread SuDS deployment with practical deliverability on the ground.
Functions, Roles and Responsibilities No single preferred model emerged regarding SuDS approval, maintenance arrangements or long-term funding. A range of approaches was proposed- but respondents consistently highlighted the importance of minimising delays; ensuring clarity of roles and responsibilities; and aligning governance structures with existing organisational functions.
Many respondents felt that responsibility for maintenance of SuDS should sit with a public body such as the Department itself, NI Water, or a new drainage body. This would provide public accountability and consistency and ensure that nature-based SuDS in new housing developments are properly maintained.
No clear preference emerged on who should pay- though several proposed that developers should pay an initial commuted sum to cover early-years maintenance- thereby helping to prevent“ build-and-forget” drainage that fails early.
Further work will be undertaken by the Department for Infrastructure- to explore opportunities for improved coordination and to assess the feasibility of new or hybrid implementation models.
SuDS in Open Space Requirements Housebuilders and property developers stressed the importance of recognising SuDS features within planning policy open space requirements. The Department acknowledges this and will give it further consideration in the next phase of policy development.
Conclusion In presenting the summary report, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins MLA thanked all the respondents for their input. She was encouraged at the support for her proposals- and promised that her officials will undertake further stakeholder consultation as her Water, Sustainable Drainage & Flood Management Bill progresses through its Assembly stages at Stormont.