Flood Risk and Flood Risk Assessments
Flooding is a natural process that
plays an important role in shaping the natural environment.
However, flooding threatens life and can cause substantial damage
to property.
It is important that flood risk is
taken into account during the planning process. This is necessary
to avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding and
to direct development away from areas of highest risk of
flooding.
If a development is located within
an area at risk of flooding, a ‘Flood Risk Assessment’ may be
required.
When is a Flood Risk Assessment required?
A Flood Risk Assessment is required
for all developments within Flood Zones 2 and 3 and development of
1 hectare or more within Flood Zone 1.
The requirement for a flood risk
assessment is dependent on the location and type of development
that is proposed.
Further guidance is available from
the
Environment Agency website.
How do I find out if my land or property is within the Flood
Risk Zone?
The Environment Agency produce a flood map which provides
details of land and properties that are located within flood
zones.
The maps can be accessed from the Environment Agency’s
website and allow a search to be undertaken using a place
name or postcode.
What is a Flood risk assessment required to do?
A site-specific flood risk
assessment should demonstrate how flood risk from all sources of
flooding to the development itself and flood risk to others will be
managed. This will need to take climate change into account.
It is the responsibility
of those proposing a particular development to undertake a flood
risk assessment. Guidance on how to undertake a flood risk
assessment (flood risk assessment notes 1 to 4) has been provided
by the Environment Agency. This can be accessed via the
Environment Agency’s website.
Comprehensive guidance in
relation to undertaking flood risk assessments is also provided in
‘Planning Policy Statement 25: Development and Flood Risk’ and the
associated Practice Guide.
Useful sources of information
The Environment Agency website
contains general information on flooding and flood risk. The
Environment Agency has also produced standing advice to help Local
Planning Authorities establish the risk associated with planning
applications.
Planning Policy Statement 25 and
its associated Practice guide provides useful information on how
flood risk will be dealt with in the planning process.
Links
Environment Agency
website
