Validation Checklist - List 1

3p Flood Risk Assessment (FRA)

Required for Planning applications for development proposals of one hectare or greater in Flood Zone 1 and all development proposals located in Flood Zones 2 and 3 should be accompanied by a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA).

The FRA should identify and assess the risks of all forms of flooding to and from the development and demonstrate how these flood risks will be managed, taking climate change into account. The FRA should identify opportunities to reduce the probability and consequences of flooding. The FRA should include the design of surface water management systems including Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDs) and address the requirement for safe access to and from the development in areas at risk of flooding.

The FRA should be prepared by an applicant in consultation with the Local Planning Authority with reference to their published local development documents and any Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. The FRA should form part of an Environmental Statement when one is required by the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011.

A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment has also been prepared for the Local Planning Authority (May 2009). This identifies a number of areas across the borough that are vulnerable to flooding from sewers, groundwater, overland flow and artificial sources. It is therefore necessary for applicant’s to contact the planning department to establish if the location of their development might be affected by any of these sources, and if so, whether a FRA will be required and/or sustainable drainage systems.

Policy Driver and where to get more advice:
TCR7, TCR8, TCR10, TCR11, TCR16, TCR17, TCR19, TCR20, TCR23, TCR24, TCR25, TCR26, TCR27, TCR28 and RA17 of the Welwyn Hatfield District Plan 2005. Policies SADM4, SADM5, SADM20, SADM23, SADM24 and SP25 of the Draft Local Plan Proposed Submission, August 2016. National Planning Policy Framework, Sections 2 and 3. Hertfordshire County Council, Lead Local Flood Authority:
• FRMConsultations@hertfordshire.gov.uk
• Surface water drainage