Local planning authorities produce strategic flood risk assessments (SFRAs) in England and strategic flood consequence assessments (SFCAs) in Wales to support planning decisions. The assessments are used to locate new developments in areas with the lowest risk of flooding and to reduce the impacts of flooding in existing communities. Changes to planning policy and the need to consider all sources of flooding highlighted a need to review what information was available to feed into these assessments and how it could be used most effectively.
We analysed how information from all sources of flooding can be best used in spatial planning to help manage flood risk. The project involved the review of over 150 policy and guidance documents, flood assessments and research reports. Interviews with planners and flood risk management staff were also undertaken to explore barriers and solutions to using flood risk information more effectively in spatial planning. Based on our findings, we then developed a good practice guide with examples on how to assess all sources of flood risk for planning.
The project’s findings have been used to recommend updates to planning policy guidance in England and Wales and the Environment Agency has used them to update its online guidance and flood risk advice. The good practice guide, which is expected to be published later in 2020, will also inform local planning policies, helping local authorities achieve growth targets sustainably and meet the objectives of the national flood and coastal erosion risk management strategies for England and Wales.