Flood Risk
Flood risk is a material planning consideration. The aim of national policy guidance is to ensure flood risk is taken into account at all stages of the planning process, to avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding, and to direct development away from areas of highest risk. Planning Policy Statement 25 'Development and Flood Risk' sets out Government policy on the subject.
Three flood risk zones have been identified by the Environment Agency to support the implementation of national planning policy and to prevent inappropriate development in flood risk areas.
You can find out if the property/site you are interested lies within an area at risk from flooding on the Environment Agency’s website.
If your property/land lies within one of these flood risk zones you may be required to submit a flood risk assessment (FRA) with your planning application. The scope of the Flood Risk Assessment will depend on the flood risk zone and the type of development proposed. More information about the requirements for flood risk assessments can be found in the ‘Guidance Notes for Submitting a Planning Application’.
All assessments will be forwarded to the Environment Agency for formal consideration. The Council consults the Environment Agency on most development proposals considered to be at risk from flooding. The Environment Agency provides technical advice to Local Planning Authorities and developers on how best to avoid, manage and reduce the adverse impacts of flooding.
