Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25) on Development and Flood Risk requires that the evidence base for the Local Development Framework includes a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA).
The Borough Council has completed a SFRA in conjunction with the Environment Agency and the local water companies which provides information on the probability of flooding, such as that from groundwater sources and sewers. It also takes into account the impacts of climate change. It is intended that the SFRA will be used to ensure that in allocating land or determining applications, development is located in areas at lowest risk of flooding. The SFRA makes the following summarised recommendations:
- Regularly update the SFRA maps, at least in electronic form, using the most recent flooding data from the Environment Agency, water companies and council records.
- Allocation of development with respect to flood risk must take climate change into account.
- Ensure that a holistic approach to flood risk management and water resource issues is undertaken through partnership working and that planning takes account of other guidance – for example Catchment Flood Management Plans
- Locate development in the areas of lowest flood risk thus allocating following the order of preference in Flood one 1, then Flood Zone 2, then Flood Zone 3a and finally Flood Zone 3b.
- Ensure the vulnerability of the land use is compatible with the level of risk.
- Where an Exception Test is required, undertake a Level 2 SFRA which is more detailed.
- Require FRAs and/or drainage information for development within and upstream of Critical Drainage Areas, at a threshold to be determined through a separate publication.
- FRA’s and Level 2 SFRAs should pay attention to the risk of groundwater flooding.
- Apply measures to control and mitigate flood risk and where possible reduced flood risk.
- Apply sustainable drainage techniques which should be designed to mimic natural systems that control runoff.
A set of maps has also been produced as part of the SFRA, however these have been temporarily removed from the website and will be replaced as soon as possible.
