Flood risk assessment local planning

A Flood Risk Assessment is required in the following instances:

• in Flood zone 1: Development of 1 hectare or greater
• less than 1 ha in flood zone 1, including a change of use in development type to a more vulnerable class (for example from commercial to residential), where they could be affected by sources of flooding other than rivers and the sea (for example surface water drains, reservoirs).
• in an area within flood zone 1 which has critical drainage problems as notified by the Environment Agency.
• in Flood zones 2 and 3: All development

However, prior to producing a Flood Risk Assessment it is advisable to first ensure that the Sequential Test has been passed.

If there are other available sites at a lower probability of flooding that could accommodate the proposed development then the Sequential Test will be failed and a Flood Risk Assessment would be irrelevant.

Information required

Identify and assess the risks to and from the development from all forms of flooding; and

Demonstrate how these risks will be managed; taking account of climate change

Identify opportunities to reduce the probability and consequences of flooding

Demonstrate that safe access to and from developments in areas at risk of flooding can be achieved

Integrate surface water management systems in to the design of the development which may include, for example, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS)

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Design Statement

Guidance is provided on the requirement that major applications with surface water drainage submit a SuDS Design Statement.  Where a Flood Risk Assessment is also required, these can be integrated into a single document.