National Flood Risk Assessment – NaFRA2: further changes to national flood risk guidance
The Environment Agency (EA) have released significant updates to the National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA2), introducing enhanced ‘Flood Zone’ data to the ‘Flood Map for Planning’ service. These advancements are poised to substantially influence the preparation and evaluation of flood risk assessments for planning applications.
NaFRA2 now offers a unified depiction of current and future flood risks from rivers, the sea, and surface water. This integration provides planners and developers with a holistic understanding of potential flood hazards.
Utilising the latest UK Climate Projections (UKCP18), NaFRA2 includes the potential impacts of climate change on flood risks. This forward-looking approach ensures that developments are resilient to future environmental changes.
The updated assessment provides data on potential flood depths, enabling more precise evaluations of flood hazards and informing the design of mitigation measures.
With higher resolution maps, stakeholders can more easily identify specific areas at risk, facilitating informed decision-making in site selection and development planning.
Implications for Planning Applications
The integration of NaFRA2 data into the ‘Flood Map for Planning’ service necessitates that developers and planners:
- Consult updated flood zones: Prior to submitting planning applications, it is crucial to reference the latest ‘Flood Map for Planning’ to determine the flood zone classification of a proposed site. This ensures compliance with current flood risk data.
- Conduct thorough Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs): Utilising the detailed information from NaFRA2, FRAs should comprehensively address all potential flood risks, including those exacerbated by climate change. This approach aids in designing effective mitigation strategies.
- Adhere to Sequential and Exception Tests: In line with the National Planning Policy Framework, developments should be steered towards areas of lower flood risk. The updated data supports the application of these tests by providing accurate risk assessments.
- Implement Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS): Incorporating SuDS into development plans can alleviate surface water flooding risks. The detailed surface water data from NaFRA2 assists in identifying suitable SuDS solutions tailored to specific sites.
By integrating the latest NaFRA2 data into planning processes, developers and planners can enhance the resilience of new developments against flooding. This proactive approach not only ensures compliance with regulatory requirements but also contributes to the creation of safer, more sustainable communities.
Need a Flood Risk Assessment?
GeoSmart offers Flood Risk Reports to support planning applications, property transactions and insurance purposes for architects, planning consultants and developers, as well as the legal market.
