Flood zones are shown on the EA’s Flood Map for Planning (Rivers and Sea), as indicated below:
Flood Zone 1: Low Probability
Land having a less than 1 in 1,000 annual probability of river or sea flooding.
(Shown as ‘clear’ on the Flood Zone Map – all land outside Zones 2 and 3)
Flood Zone 2: Medium Probability
Land having between a 1 in 100 and 1 in 1,000 annual probability of river flooding;
or
Land having between a 1 in 200 and 1 in 1,000 annual probability of sea flooding.
(Land shown in light blue on the Flood Zone Map)
Flood Zone 3a: High Probability
Land having a 1 in 100 or greater annual probability of river flooding;
or
Land having a 1 in 200 or greater annual probability of sea flooding.
(Land shown in dark blue on the Flood Zone Map)
Flood Zone 3b: The Functional Floodplain
This zone comprises land where water has to flow or be stored in times of flood.
Local planning authorities should identify in their Strategic Flood Risk Assessments areas of functional floodplain and its boundaries accordingly, in agreement with the Environment Agency.
(Not separately distinguished from Zone 3a on the Flood Zone Map)
The flood zones do not take account of the possible impacts of climate change and consequent changes in the future probability of flooding. Reference should therefore also be made to the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment when considering location and potential future flood risks to developments and land uses.
The EA made revisions in March 2016 to the peak flow rate of rivers in various catchments across the country based on climate change predictions. Read their guidance online.
This translates to new guidance for councils and developers on the relevant peak rate to use in each Flood Zone:
Flood Zone 2
Flood Zone 3a
Flood Zone 3b
If (exceptionally) development is considered appropriate when not in accordance with flood zone vulnerability categories, then it would be appropriate to use the upper-end allowance.
We’ve collected Strategic Flood Risk Assessments from different local authorities and you can find further information in the GeoSmart Knowledge Hub.
Get a Clearer Picture
GeoSmart understands how river, surface and groundwater flooding can affect property and development sites. Our expert flood risk consultants will advise on flood zones and constraints, as well as potential vulnerabilities that could impact on your client’s permitted development project.
For more information about our flood risk assessments, please call 01743 581415 or email enquiries@geosmartinfo.co.uk
Tags: flood risk, flood zones