Kimmins seeks public views on Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in New Housing Developments
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has launched a public consultation on Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in New Housing Developments.
This initial public consultation focuses on developing and implementing new policies and regulatory arrangements to ensure nature-based SuDS, such as grassed swales, raingardens and detention ponds are provided in new housing developments in the future.
The widespread implementation of nature-based SuDS will be key to tackling the challenges of climate change, managing flood risk and limiting the impact of new developments on the existing drainage networks across the region.
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said: “Sustainably managing our drainage and wastewater systems is integral to continuing the growth of our economy and allowing much needed new homes to be built.
“While improving our existing sewerage systems will be a huge exercise, costing billions of pounds and taking decades, it is also important that we integrate nature-based drainage solutions into future housing developments.
“By doing so, we will help to protect the water quality of our rivers and loughs; improve the future performance of our sewerage systems; and help reduce the risk of flooding.”
The Minister concluded: “My Department’s Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill was introduced to the NI Assembly on 23 June 2025.
“It is currently progressing through the Assembly and is an integral part of my three-pronged approach to deliver better water and wastewater infrastructure to support growth and adapt to changing weather patterns.
“This Bill will provide powers to make regulations in relation to the design, approval and maintenance of SuDS. This consultation seeks views on the development and implementation of new policies and regulatory arrangements to ensure that nature-based SuDS, such as grassed swales, rain gardens and detention ponds are provided in new housing developments in the future.”
The consultation opens today and will close on 19 December 2025. It can be accessed at:
The proposed powers provided in the new Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill, which is currently going through the Assembly, will allow the Department to make regulations in relation to the design, approval, operation and maintenance of nature-based SuDS.
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Infrastructure Minister appoints Councillor to the Drainage Council
Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins has appointed Eddie Thompson to serve as a Non-Executive Councillor Member on the Drainage Council.
The appointment will take effect from 1 October 2025 and will be for a maximum of four years.
Minister Kimmins said: “I am pleased to announce the appointment of Eddie to the Drainage Council. The Council plays a crucial role in scrutinising our drainage and flood defences across the North, and I am confident that his contribution will uphold the high standards set by its members.”
The Drainage Council is a non-Departmental Public Body established under the Drainage (NI) Order 1973. It performs a general scrutiny role in relation to the Department’s drainage functions and has a statutory duty to ensure uniformity of treatment on drainage issues throughout the North.
This includes overseeing the impartial and consistent application of drainage and flood defence works, and, designating watercourses and sea defences for maintenance at public expense.
Eddie Thompson Bio
Eddie has been a Councillor for Bangor East and Donaghadee DEA on Ards and North Down Borough Council since 2024.
He is currently the Chair of the Audit Committee and sits on the Place and Prosperity and Corporate Services Committees.
He is also a member of the Peace Plus Partnership and the Arc21 Joint Committee.
Eddie is also actively involved in working with a number of community and environmental organisations. He holds no other public appointments.
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McMurray MLA welcomes Bill to address flooding
Andrew McMurray MLA has raised awareness of proposals for an important piece of legislation that is currently making its way through the Assembly.
The Water, Sustainable Drainage, and Flood Management Bill includes proposals in relation to hosepipe bans, sustainable drainage, and the Homeowner Flood Protection Grant Scheme, among others.
It was brought forward earlier this year by the Minister for Infrastructure and passed an important hurdle when MLAs approved the principles and intent of the Bill last week. It will now undergo detailed scrutiny by the Infrastructure Committee.
Mr McMurray said: “This is an important and welcome Bill, which aims to strengthen resilience in the face of heavy rain as well as drought, both of which we are seeing more of these days as a result of climate change.
“We are also being told that it will help reduce pollution in watercourses and facilitate more environmentally friendly solutions to managing water resources.
“Among other important proposals, the Bill will put the Homeowner Flood Protection Grant Scheme on a statutory footing. While the pilot flood protection grant scheme hasn’t been perfect, it has still been very important for residents in Newcastle.
“Meanwhile, businesses in Downpatrick could really do with a similar scheme for commercial properties. At the moment, the Bill doesn’t include any plans to extend the scheme to commercial properties, which is disappointing.
“As member of the Infrastructure Committee and MLA for South Down, I will carefully scrutinise the proposals on behalf of my constituents to raise the issues that have been brought to my attention.
“The proposals also include plans that will help promote more sustainable drainage infrastructure in new developments and possibly even in existing townscapes through retrofitting.
“Sustainable drainage infrastructure can help reduce risk of flooding and help protect watercourses from sewage spills.
“As several different areas in South Down have suffered flooding in the past, I particularly welcome these plans.
“I shall scrutinise them carefully to make sure they are as effective as possible and shall respond to the Department’s consultation on my constituents’ behalf.”
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