A flood risk assessment is required in all areas at risk of flooding. In these areas the planning permission is not given without a flood risk assessment study. Furthermore, it is also important in order to maintain and insure existing buildings.
The UK National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) considers the Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) as an essential part of the planning application. Furthermore, the Environmental Agency studies flood and topographic levels on a site establishing that in base of the Flood Risk Regulations, flood risk management plans have to be produced and published by December 2015. These have to be produced for the whole of England and Wales. The flooding covered regards main rivers, sea and reservoirs.
The flood risk assessments have to be produced by Risk Management Authorities (RMAs) working in partnership and contributing together to the development of the plans. The planning process allows Authorities to understand the risks linked to flooding and individuate priority in accordance with the communities in order to understand the risks.
The CSH in Category 4: Surface Water Run-off Flood Risk is defined as an expression of the combination of flood probability and the magnitude of the potential consequences of the flood. A Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) has to be prepared as expressed in PPS25 Development and Flood Risk: Practice Guide (available from www.communities.gov.uk).
In accordance with BREEAM a site specific Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) confirms there is a low risk of flooding in a site. Furthermore, it specifies the development is appropriately flood resilient and resistant from all flooding sources.
Syntegra Consulting is a leading energy consulting company in the UK – for further information about flood risk assessment, please telephone +44 (0) 845 0091625 or e-mail: mail@syntegra-epc.co.uk.
