Sustainable Drainage, BNG and Landscaping

About This Event

This webinar is run by the CIWEM South Western branch on 18 November 2026 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. It is held online via Zoom and is free to attend for both CIWEM members and non-members. The session will be recorded. Registration closes at 09:00 on the day of the event.

The programme explores how surface water drainage design can be integrated with biodiversity net gain (BNG) and landscape architecture. Speakers include Helena Preston, an associate hydrologist at SLR Consulting with 15 years' experience in sustainable drainage and nutrient neutrality; Lucy Murray, an associate ecologist specialising in water environments and strategic assessments; and Matt Jones, a principal landscape architect with over 20 years' experience in BNG delivery and restoration schemes. Topics covered include designing sustainable drainage to maximise biodiversity and landscape benefits, recent updates to the National Planning Policy Framework and BNG regulations, watercourse units for BNG, and integrating BNG and hydrology into landscape design.

This webinar matters to UK SMEs and sustainability leads working on development projects because it addresses the practical challenge of meeting multiple regulatory requirements simultaneously. Understanding how to design drainage systems that also deliver biodiversity gains and landscape value can reduce costs, improve planning outcomes, and ensure compliance with current BNG obligations.

Key Takeaways

• Designing sustainable drainage systems that deliver biodiversity and landscape benefits alongside flood management
• Understanding recent changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and BNG regulations
• Using watercourse units to improve BNG scores in development projects
• Integrating hydrological and ecological considerations into landscape design from project inception

Who Should Attend

• Surface water drainage engineers and hydrologists involved in development projects
• Ecologists and landscape architects working on planning applications requiring BNG
• Developers and planning consultants navigating drainage and biodiversity requirements
• Sustainability leads in construction and property development seeking CPD in integrated design