01743 298100
enquiries@geosmartinfo.co.uk
GeoSmart Information
  • Home
  • Reports
    • Contaminated Land Reports
    • Flood Risk Assessments
    • Sustainable Drainage Reports
    • Detailed Drainage Design
  • Data & Services
    • Groundwater Flood Risk Map
    • SuDS Infiltration Map
    • BGS Geology Datasets
    • User Guides
    • GWFlood
    • GWSewerFlood
    • Flood Risk Portfolio
  • Risk
    • FloodSmart Analytics
    • Case Studies
    • News
  • Knowledge Hub
    • Contaminated Land
    • Flood Risk Assessment
    • Sustainable Drainage Systems
    • Groundwater Flood Risk
    • CPD
    • Videos
    • News
    • Events
    • Blog
    • Library
    • Case Studies
    • Latest GeoSmart e-Newsletters
  • About
    • Our Customers
    • Our Team
    • Our Partnerships
    • Testimonials
    • Careers
    • Our Responsibility
    • A Sustainable Future
    • FAQs
  • Contact

Planning Bill from Queen’s Speech causes concern for flood risk mitigation

Posted on June 8th 2021 in Blog, Climate change, Flooding, News
flood risk

The Queen’s speech of 11th May 2021 outlined plans to bring the Planning Bill forward so new properties could be developed sooner. Authorities such as Flood Re and the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) have raised concern that new homes are not built in areas of flood risk. The bill will attempt to make the Planning System ‘more efficient’ but with some concerned that local communities may not be involved on flooding issues.

Residential developments should ideally avoid areas at a risk of being flooded to minimize disruption to residents and the structure of the buildings. The storms that have occurred in the UK over the past few years, such as Storm Dennis, demonstrate that climate change, which is a major consideration in flood risk, is happening right now and our public adaptation needs to accelerate. Fiona Howie, chief executive at the TCPA, stated: “As the UK assumes global leadership in tackling climate change through COP26, we must act now to protect our communities from future climate risks and the devastation flooding causes.”

Flood Re, who purchase GeoSmart’s Groundwater Flood Risk Data, are running a scheme which brings down the cost of flood insurance for residents in high risk areas. Flood Re note that developments post-2009 and commercial properties are not featured in this scheme and therefore property owners may be at risk of significant insurance premiums.

In a joint letter in The Times to the Government, Flood Re and the TCPA requested that:

  1. New homes are built in the right places and of the right quality to meet the challenges of climate change;
  2. New homes are not developed inappropriately in areas at risk of flooding, and;
  3. Communities have a legal right to feed in their local expertise and have their voices heard in planning decisions that affect risk in their areas.

“Ensuring the three steps that we have highlighted are introduced will leave homeowners less vulnerable to flooding and hence able to shop around for affordable insurance,” said Andy Bord, chief executive of Flood Re; “Homes that are built now must last for generations to come and therefore we must ensure that they are fit for purpose and flood risk is considered.”

So, what can be done to mitigate flood risk?

GeoSmart regularly produce site specific Flood Risk Assessments for developers and property purchasers. A Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) is required for any planning application where the site of the proposed development is located within Flood Zones 2 or 3 as defined by the Environment Agency. Such sites are at risk of flooding and the Environment Agency and local planning authorities have the power to challenge planning applications that have not taken into account all of the flood risks involved. In addition to river and coastal flooding, which are covered by the flood zones for planning, other types of flooding such as surface water (intense rainfall run-off) and groundwater should also be considered by a prudent property owner. You could even find you need an FRA for Sites within a Flood Zone 1 if over 1ha in size, if the site has a high risk of surface water flooding, or if the site is within a critical drainage area.

Our FRAs recommend clear flood mitigation and management options and include a professional opinion from expert flood risk consultants.

Please contact us is you would like to discuss your site.

References:

https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/flood/flood-re-town-and-country-planning-association-make-government-plea-254956.aspx

https://www.theplanner.co.uk/news/government-urged-to-consider-flooding-in-planning-bill

Posted by Lily

Tags: flood risk, Flooding, Groundwater, groundwater risk

Share this Post
« Previous Post
Next Post »

Contact Us

  • Please choose the product(s) you would like further information on.
  • If possible please give as much information about your site / property as you can and attach a site plan if available. This will enable us to provide you with the best assistance.
  • (If available)
  • Please upload your file in PDF format. (Max 4MB)
    Drop files here or
    Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 4 MB.
    • Hidden
    • Hidden

    See what our customers have to say...

    "During the conveyancing process for my current house purchase, I was extremely concerned to find the general search results revealed the house was at 'moderate risk of groundwater flooding'. I was unable to get any further information from anyone until I contacted GeoSmart. The staff I spoke to were friendly, helpful, efficient and extremely knowledgeable. The information provided was very site specific and focused. The staff member who talked me through the information and maps provided was very knowledgeable, answered all my questions and allowed me plenty of time to discuss issues. Thanks to GeoSmart for their great service."
    Linda Barton
    "We were impressed by the speedy, well-informed service and personal contact that we received. The report was thorough and comprehensive. We will certainly use GeoSmart's services in the future"
    Gregory Gray
    Gregory Gray Associates
    "I would like to say that dealing with GeoSmart was a seamless experience from beginning to end - thank you for that"
    Martin Lloyd
    Martin Lloyd Associates
    "Everyone involved from initial approach to receipt of report was knowledgeable, efficient and focused"
    Robert McCall
    OeMO Ltd
    "Great service! Extremely fast and the report was very detailed and well received by the planners. Many thanks GeoSmart, we will definitely use your services again"
    Nigel Slack
    Michael Eyres Partnership LLP
    "The service was great, fast and efficient. Everyone we talked to was very helpful and the details were well received by the planners"
    Ben Thorns
    Solid Digital Marketing Ltd
    "The service for a Phase 1 Contaminated Land Study was excellent, fast and efficient! GeoSmart were willing to assist despite the extremely tight timescale to work with. We will definitely consider using your services again"
    Craig Roberts
    Hunter Page
    "Efficient and friendly service, GeoSmart provided a clear and concise report within the timescales advised. Great service and I would have no problem recommending"
    Geraint Harris
    Vitec Consult
    "We are very pleased with the service provided by GeoSmart. Their reports have been used to assist with numerous planning applications and have always been delivered to budget and on-time, much to our clients’ appreciation. We look forward to working with GeoSmart on future projects"
    Alan Gunne-Jones
    Planning & Development Associates
    "The service provided was efficient and friendly. From the first phone call to GeoSmart they provided a clear, professional approach to my request within the timescales advised. Great service and I would have no problem recommending"
    John Childs
    Private Developer
    Find out more about how we can support you today!
    Get in touch
    Subscribe to our newsletter
    © 2022 GeoSmart Information Ltd.

    Suite 9-11, 1st Floor,
    Old Bank Buildings,
    Bellstone, Shrewsbury,
    SY1 1HU

    Company No. 5475394

    Contact Us
    Call 01743 298100
    Email enquiries@geosmartinfo.co.uk
    Legal Links
    • Privacy Policy
    • CDM Regulations
    • Terms & Conditions
    Website by Ascendancy