On 2 September, Building Insights LIVE brought together leading housebuilders, drainage specialists, industry bodies and supply chain representatives at London’s Building Centre to explore the challenges and opportunities surrounding sustainable drainage systems (SuDS).
Held in partnership with specialist builder’s merchant Burdens and chaired by James Parker, Managing Editor of Housebuilder & Developer, the round table examined industry misconceptions around SuDS, the evolving planning landscape and how more effective stormwater management can deliver practical, environmental and commercial benefits for housebuilders.
With SuDS increasingly important under the updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), delegates discussed the need to move beyond traditional drainage approaches towards more integrated, sustainable solutions. From managing increasingly extreme rainfall and reducing flood risk to improving biodiversity, water quality and residential amenity, the discussion explored how early consideration of SuDS can create more resilient developments.
The debate covered design, engineering, specification, costs and long-term maintenance, alongside opportunities to combine natural features with below-ground drainage solutions. A key theme was the need to challenge assumptions around complexity and expense, recognising how early collaboration, innovative design and proportionate solutions can reduce unnecessary costs while delivering lasting benefits for developers, residents and the wider environment.
Event Chair:
- James Parker Managing Editor, Housebuilder & Developer
Attendees:
- Steve Wilson, Technical Director, Environmental Protection Group
- Chris Carr, Managing Director, Carr & Carr Builders (ex-President of Federation of Master Builders)
- Patrick Flood, Technical Director UK, Juta UK
- Charlotte Markey, Specification Manager, Skygarden
- Mark Shearer, Business Development Director, Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation
- Sean Robinson, Commercial Director, Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation
- Matt Moore, Strategic Flood & Partnership Manager, Anglian Water
- Thomas Sturtridge, Senior Flood Risk Engineer, MEC Consultancy Group
- Paul Shaffer, Director of Policy & Projects, CIWEM (Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management)
- Glen Westmore, Co-Chair, The Association of SuDS Authorities
- Habib Khan, Director, Meristem Design
- Colin Nessfield, Technical Manager, Mineral Products Association
- Shane Frost, Technical Director, Green Blue Urban
- George Grant, Head of Engineering & Water, The Environmental Protection Group
- David Owen, Group Head of Engineering, Taylor Wimpey
- Ken Graham, National Sales Director, Burdens
- Mark Gillies, Director of Technical Solutions, Burdens
- Andrew Taylor, Technical Sales Manager, Burdens
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