The Sustainable Drainage Approval Body (SAB) encourages applicants to undertake Pre-Application advice before submitting an application for Sustainable Drainage Approval. This will allow the SAB to identify potential constraints and provide feedback regarding the National Standards. The aim of the pre-application service is to encourage and promote sustainable development for all construction work with drainage implications.
It must be emphasised that the Pre-Application services outlined below do not prejudice determination of any full application received by the SAB.
Service Provision
The SAB offers numerous forms of pre-application services to support applicants. For charges related to each of the services, please see our Schedule of Costs.
We wanted to inform you of a 5% fee rate raise for our SAB discretionary services (pre-applications) at a fee, effective from 01/04/2024. While we understand that any increase in fees can be difficult, we want to assure you that this decision was not made lightly.
The reason for the fee rate raise is due to the increased costs associated with providing the service. In recent years, the cost of providing the service has risen due to inflation and the rising cost of living.
We understand that this increase in fees may be challenging. However, we believe that this fee rate raise is necessary to maintain the high level of service that our service users have come to expect. Rhondda Cynon Taff Council is committed to providing essential services to all within RCT, and we believe that this fee rate raise is necessary to ensure that we can continue to do so.
We want to emphasize that the Council is operating within tight budget constraints, and we have done our best to mitigate the financial impact on all service users.
We want to thank you for your understanding and continued support of our Local Council Sustainable Drainage Service. We remain committed to providing these essential services to all in our community and believe that this fee rate raise is necessary to ensure that we can continue to do so at a high level of quality.
Full fees are to be paid up front, and are non-refundable. VAT will also be charged on discretionary services.
Submit Your Application for Pre-Application Advice Online
ATTENTION – The online application form is experiencing technical issues. Should you receive an error message, please contact the SAB via
SAB.Application@rctcbc.gov.uk to request for a pdf application form
In order to submit a Sustainable Drainage Pre-Application, you must use our online form.
Please note: As part of the online application, all supporting documents must be uploaded and submitted. The more detail provided to the SAB as part of a Pre-Application then the better informed the response will be.
The services provided are:
Validation Check
This service provides a validation check on an application prior to submission of a full application.
Drainage Strategy Review
This service will comprise of a review of a drainage strategy and is not intended for detailed review of surface water drainage calculations and design of drainage systems.
The outcome is a summary report that will provide a review of a drainage strategy in relation to the National Standards and also include a summary of what is required for the application to constitute as a validly made at full application stage.
Detailed Review
This service provides a technical review of the submitted pre-application form and all supporting documents. The outcome of this service is a report summarising the applications compliance with the National Standards.
Enhanced Detailed Review
This service provides a virtual meeting in addition to the service provided as part of the detailed review. This service will result in a report summarising the meeting and the applications compliance with the National Standards.
The Applicant should note however, that the more detail provided to the SAB as part of a Pre-Application then the better informed the response will be.
Additional Services
The SAB also offers services in addition to the above detailed services. These include technical advice at an hourly rate, virtual meeting and a site meeting.
Pre-Application Procedure
Following submission of your application, the SAB will contact you notifying you of your SAB unique reference number and the cost of the requested Pre-Application service.
Please Note: The Pre-Application service will only commence once the SAB receives payment.
Making Payment
Due to Covid-19, our staff are currently working from home. Therefore, to arrange payment via debit or credit card, please notify the SAB of the contact details of the payer and the SAB will arrange for payment to be processed. If another form of payment is required, please contact the SAB at SAB.Application@rctcbc.gov.uk