Over the past few years the impact of flooding has become an important issue for everybody. With changes to weather patterns (effects of climate change) and the impact development has on water movement to streams and rivers, the risk of flash flooding and floods has increased. It is in everybody's interest to know what risk of flooding your house or business has and also how water is disposed of from your home or business and what knock-on effect this has on your local environment as a whole. A flood risk assessment may be required if a development is located within an indicative flood plain. Dependent on the size, both the design and location of a development will have a bearing on the level of detail required with a flood risk assessment.
In response to government guidance (PPS25 - which can be viewed in the 'Other websites' section of this page), the Environment Agency has introduced new consultation procedures for planning applications in relation to flood risk.
The result is that many applications for development within floodplains and, in the case of larger proposals, elsewhere, cannot now be accepted without a flood risk assessment.
For more information on flood risk assessments please contact the Environment Agency on 08708 506506 or visit their website using the link in the 'Other websites' section of this page.