SuDS implementation for thriving biodiversity

This session shared how Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) can deliver meaningful biodiversity benefits and enhancements. We explored practical approaches to designing SuDS that support thriving, resilient habitats over the long term.

The session also examined how Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements in England can be effectively integrated with SuDS—both in retrofit projects and new developments—highlighting strategies for alignment, compliance, and lasting environmental value.

Biodiversity is one of the four pillars of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), recognising that well-designed schemes can do far more than manage water — they can actively support and enhance habitats and ecosystems. Developing the expertise to deliver SuDS that contribute to nature recovery, while also reducing flood risk, strengthening drought resilience, and improving water quality, represents a long-term, cost-effective investment for developers, water companies, local authorities, and the professionals who support them.

While SuDS offer significant potential for biodiversity enhancement, designing systems that foster thriving habitats is not without its challenges. SuDS must store and attenuate water, manage pollutant loads, and often operate within constrained urban spaces. Balancing these functional requirements with ecological ambition demands careful planning, robust design, and a clear understanding of both opportunities and limitations.