AD 2: Managing flood risk
Whilst this policy objective is focused on adaptation, it has the potential to affect sustainable energy policy objectives where site allocation is of significance.
Policy Objective
This objective is concerned with sustainable flood risk management. The current level of risk should be established as a baseline. Then, the future risk of flooding due to climate change can be explored and opportunities to reduce risk and improve resilience can be identified. An important component of the evidence base is considering the consequences of a flood and the vulnerability of the people and assets that may be affected. This should be used to inform site allocation at the strategic level and the development of accompanying neighbourhood and building level flood management policies.
Local planning authorities are required to undertake a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) as part of the planning process in accordance with paragraph 12 and Annex E of PPS25: Development and Flood Risk. The SFRA and other management plans provide significant evidence required for policy development in this area.
There are five main sources of floodwater that should be considered:
- Tidal
- Fluvial
- Surface water
- Sewer
- Groundwater
Flooding may occur from more than one source at a time so integrated flood risk management is required. It is important to consider what and who may flood, how, where, when and how often and to what extent.
Overview of Tasks
1. Establish a baseline
2. Assess opportunities to reduce risk and improve resilience
Key Planning Objective
All planning authorities should prepare, and manage the delivery of spatial strategies that secure new development and shape places that minimise vulnerability, and provide resilience, to climate change; and in ways that are consistent with social cohesion and inclusion.
Decision-Making Principles
New development should be planned to minimise future vulnerability in a changing climate;
Climate change considerations should be integrated into all spatial planning concerns.
Paragraph 24
When selecting land for development, planning authorities should take account of the ‘known physical and environmental constraints on the development of land such as sea level rises, flood risk and stability, and take a precautionary approach to increases in risk that could arise as a result of likely changes to the climate’. The contribution to be made from existing and new opportunities for open space and green infrastructure to urban cooling, sustainable drainage systems, and conserving and enhancing biodiversity should also be considered.
