This question analyses responses to the consultation on the draft Strategy for Sustainable Construction. The aim of the consultation was to gather views to important questions covered in the draft. Recipro have been publishing the respondents views over the past month to keep our subscribers informed about upcoming government initiatives. We’ve thought the process involved in creating a road map of this type from a public consultation is very interesting
Q: Are there any issues which have not been covered which you feel should be addressed? If so, what are they and what targets and milestones would you propose?
1. A fifth of responses felt Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) could make an important contribution to surface water management. Just over half of those that discussed SUDS explicitly supported consultation on the future development of SUDS. Smaller numbers (7%) raised issues regarding the long term payment and maintenance agreements required for SUDS to function correctly. A range of other points regarding SUDS were also made, including the suggestion that it should not be restricted to the urban context. 14% of respondents felt that there was inadequate reference to the need for adaptation planning with regard to flooding, especially in light of the flooding in the summer of 2007. Rain and grey water collection and processing systems were supported by 10% of respondents, some of whom favoured an explicit target for their adoption. 7% of respondents felt that Government should encourage the public to use water more efficiently. 5% of respondents favoured water metering, the introduction of reduced flow fittings and action to address leakages in the water distribution network. Other suggestions – from a small number of respondents – ranged from support for a national water grid to desalination plants.