Rural Sustainable Drainage Systems – Retention Pond

This is an old version of the page

This is an old version of the page

Date published: 30 March, 2015

Date superseded: 5 January, 2016

The aim of this item is to improve water quality by creating a pond to intercept and treat run-off that currently discharges direct to a watercourse or freshwater drain. Ponds can improve water quality through natural processes including filtration, retention and biological breakdown.

The land must be within a diffuse pollution priority catchment or focus area (unless an endorsement has been obtained from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency) or a flooding target area.

This option must be combined with:

You must prepare a plan that must include a map of the relevant fields / steading, identifying the location of the rural sustainable drainage system feature.

  • length-to-width ration must be between 3:1 and 5:1
  • run-off must first enter a sediment trap prior to pond
  • only run-off which does not fall within the definition of slurry may be conveyed to a pond
  • run-off from pesticide handling or washdown areas must not be conveyed to a retention pond
  • fencing should be provided to protect people and livestock
  • existing ponds must not be used
  • you must obtain planning permission, or have confirmation that planning permission is not required for your proposed pond

You can claim £15.00 per square metre (excluding fencing).

The inspectors will check:

  • the location and extent of the retention pond
  • length-to-width ration is between 3:1 and 5:1
  • run-off first enters a sediment trap prior to pond
  • only run-off which does not fall within the definition of slurry is conveyed to a pond
  • run-off from pesticide handling or wash-down areas is not conveyed to a retention pond
  • fencing should be provided to protect people and livestock
  • existing ponds are not used