Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of developers transferring sustainable urban drainage systems to Internal Drainage Boards for ongoing maintenance.

The government is committed to securing the delivery of high-quality sustainable drainage systems to help manage flood risk and adapt to the effects of climate change.

National Planning Guidance is clear that local authorities should be satisfied that all Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems have clear maintenance and adoption arrangements in place for the lifetime of a development.

We will consider whether further changes are required to manage sustainable drainage systems provision through the planning system when we consult on further reform.

We will also consult this year on options to reduce the prevalence of private estate management arrangements to end the injustice of ‘fleecehold’.