This page provides information about the flood and coastal erosion risk management in Northumberland.
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The Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) team are responsible for:
The FCERM team largely focuses on:
As Lead Local Flood Authority and Coast Protection Authority, we take a partnership approach to funding flood and coastal management projects. Flood Defence Grant in Aid (FDGiA) makes up a large proportion of the funding, but schemes are usually only made possible by contributions from other sources, such as regional Local Levy funding, public or private contributions. FDGiA is applied for by producing a business case for approval from the Environment Agency. The business case should set out the technical, social and economic viability of the project. How much FDGiA we receive for a project is largely based upon how many households will be better protected from flooding and coastal erosion, although other infrastructure is also considered. To find out more about our flood and coastal risk management schemes click on the interactive map. Please see the flood risk management and coast protection sections below for specific information on live schemes across the county.
For more information on the council’s flood and coastal risk management functions, please use the contact details below:
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As a result, the council has a number of duties and responsibilities to assist in the management of flood risk from local sources within our administrative boundary. Sources of flood risk identified as local by the act include:
Roles and responsibilities for flooding document Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment for Northumberland PFRA Addendum
In our role as LLFA, we have developed a local flood risk management strategy, which outlines how we manage flooding in our area and work with other authorities to manage all sources of flooding. The strategy plays an important role in formalising an integrated approach to local flood risk management in Northumberland by identifying local objectives and setting out measures with short, medium and long-term actions. This approach helps us manage the risk in a way that delivers the greatest benefit to our residents, businesses and the environment. The draft strategy was prepared using feedback from a consultation exercise in the summer of 2014, which provided residents, businesses and organisations the opportunity to share their opinions and personal experiences of flood risk management in the county. The draft strategy was made available for consultation between February and April 2015 and closed for comments on 24 April 2015. The strategy was formally approved for implementation by the county council 4 November 2015. Local flood risk management strategy documents
If would like to find out more about the council’s flood risk management functions, please email fcerm@northumberland.gov.uk
Improve your resilience to flooding:
Install property level resilience:
If you own land or property where a watercourse, culvert, ditch, stream runs through or adjoins your land you are deemed riparian owner. Find out more about owning a watercourse.
This note is designed to advise those wishing to undertake work around the coast with a summary of the different types of coastal consents that may be needed, additional factors to consider and links to more information.
The two main types of development consent required for coastal or marine works are:
Depending on the environmental significance of the immediate and adjacent areas, a number of nature conservation consenting processes may also apply, even in cases where works are not deemed to be developments requiring planning permission or a marine licence. Such consenting process might include:
The entire shoreline of Northumberland, except a small section around Lynemouth, has multiple SSSI, European and international nature conservation designations in place and the above statutory conservation consenting processes are also likely to apply.
To find out if the location of your proposed works is located within or may affect a designated site, please see the following website: Defra Magic Map
For developments taking place in the intertidal zone or across the land/sea boundary, for example a slipway, both planning permission and a Marine Licence will be required.
The planning, marine licensing and nature conservation consenting systems work independently of each other and are administered by Northumberland County Council, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Natural England respectively.
For all proposals it is advised that you discuss your proposal with your local SSSI advisor, planning officer and MMO officer for initial advice on the permissions that are likely to be required.
Landowners
Permission should be sought from all landowners whose land will be affected either permanently, or temporarily during works.
The Crown Estate owns much of the foreshore and seabed around the UK, between Mean High Water (MHW) and the 12 nautical mile territorial limit including the beds of many estuaries and tidal rivers. In general, the Crown Estate does not sell these areas but instead grant leases for works and activities occurring on owned foreshores and beds. If consent is required, a short application form will need to be completed and the application will take up to 4 weeks to process. For further information or clarification, email consents@thecrownestate.co.uk
In Northumberland, however, many areas of the shore are under multiple landowners which include the National Trust, Northumberland Wildlife Trust and private owners. Those proposing development will need to identify the appropriate landowner and seek their permission.
It is also recommended that you consult your Town/Parish Council to inform them of the works.
Further Information:
Northumberland County Council Local Planning Authority
Marine Management Organisation
Natural England and SSSI Consents
Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are the preferred approach to managing rainfall from hard surfaces and can be used on any site. The main purpose of SuDS is to mimic the natural drainage of the site before development and reduce flood risk.
National planning policy requires when determining planning applications, local planning authorities (LPA) should ensure flood risk is not increased elsewhere. Due to increased pressure on the sewerage system and in order to mimic natural drainage, SuDS are generally the preferred method of addressing issues regarding surface water drainage within developments. The secretary of state for communities and local government laid a written ministerial statement in the House of Commons on 18 December 2014, setting out changes to planning that will apply to major developments from 6 April 2015. The changes will strengthen existing planning policy to ensure SuDS will be provided in new major developments where appropriate. The planning practice guidance has been updated to reflect these changes and non-statutory technical standards for the design, maintenance and operation of sustainable drainage systems have been published online. Therefore, any new development submitted to Northumberland County Council will need to incorporate SuDS within its design. Any submitted scheme will need to adhere to national and local standards.
The 7 North East LLFAs have agreed a set of regional drainage standards to ensure consistency when reviewing planning applications within the NE region. We have developed 22 standards and a proforma that offers additional guidance when producing drainage statements and flood risk assessments to support planning applications. Please see the standards document and check list below.
North East LLFA sustainable drainage local standards document North East LLFA sustainable drainage local standards check list
Legislation:
Check flood risk:
The following websites provide useful further information on SuDS:
The land drainage consent application form and associated guidance notes can be downloaded below:
In addition to the above form, in order to process your application, some of the below documentation might be required:
We are authorised under section 23(2) of the Land Drainage Act 1991 to charge an application fee in relation to the consents required, to cover our costs for examining the application(s). The fee is set at £50 per structure and an additional fee of £50 where temporary works within the watercourse are required. Value added tax is not applicable. Please send a digital copy of the form and appropriate documentation to: fcerm@northumberland.gov.uk. Payment can be made by card or by sending a cheque to the address below. Please see guidance notes or email fcerm@northumberland.gov.uk for further details. Northumberland County Council FCERM Team County hall Morpeth Northumberland NE61 2EF
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