DEFRA Consultation: A Potential Boost for Flood Resilience and Drainage Design
- Ben Norman (Associate- Civil Engineer)
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has opened a public consultation on proposed reforms to the way flood resilience projects are funded in England. These changes could significantly affect the planning, design, and funding of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), flood risk assessments, and drainage strategies - core services delivered by JMS Engineers across the UK.
Why This Matters for Developers and Local Authorities
The proposed changes aim to simplify and accelerate the delivery of Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) projects. If implemented, they could:
Fully fund the first £3 million of any FCERM project, removing the need for upfront partnership contributions
Provide up to 90% government funding for project costs beyond £3 million
Offer 100% funding for maintenance and refurbishment of existing flood defence infrastructure
This marks a clear shift in the government’s approach, making it easier for local authorities and developers to bring forward resilient and futureproofed drainage and flood mitigation solutions.
What This Means for SuDS and Drainage Strategies
With greater access to funding, councils and developers will be better positioned to incorporate robust SuDS strategies into both new developments and retrofitting schemes. SuDS play a vital role in reducing surface water runoff, improving water quality, and minimising the risk of flooding.
"This consultation could be a real step forward in making sustainable drainage and flood resilience a standard part of development planning, rather than an afterthought. If these reforms go ahead, they'll make it far more feasible for local authorities and developers to prioritise long-term solutions."
— Ben Norman, Associate Civil Engineer, JMS Engineers
At JMS Engineers, we see this as a major opportunity to push forward with sustainable and compliant drainage solutions that meet both planning requirements and long-term environmental goals.
How JMS Engineers Can Help
As specialists in flood risk and drainage design, JMS Engineers offers end-to-end support for public and private sector projects, including:
SuDS Reports tailored to site-specific constraints and opportunities
Drainage Strategy Design that aligns with local planning and national policy
Flood Risk Assessments (FRA) for planning submissions and due diligence
Property Flood Resilience Surveys to assess and mitigate flood risk in existing buildings
Our multi-disciplinary team ensures that all designs are practical, sustainable, and compliant with the latest standards – and we can advise you on aligning your project with DEFRA’s evolving funding criteria.
Stay Ahead of Policy Changes
The DEFRA consultation closes on 9 July 2025. While the final policy has yet to be confirmed, it’s clear that more proactive and better-funded flood resilience planning is on the government’s agenda.
We encourage developers, planning consultants, and local authorities to begin preparing now.
SuDS Reports
JMS Engineers specialises in comprehensive Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) reports, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional drainage methods.
Drainage Strategies
Property Flood Resilience
Flood Risk Assessments
Roads & Highways
JMS Engineers are award-winning Consulting Structural & Civil Engineers with over 25 years experience in providing engineering solutions across residential, commercial and industrial projects.
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