Development planning
Flooding and coastal erosion are natural phenomena and cannot be entirely prevented. The Government aims to reduce risk through provision of new flood warning systems, new and improved defences and by discouraging inappropriate development which might increase flood risk. Communities and Local Government (CLG) has lead responsibility for development planning policy.
Flood risk
CLG's Planning Policy Guidance Note 25 (PPG 25): Development and Flood Risk was published in July 2001 and contained guidance on how flood risk should be taken into account as part of the planning and development process. PPG 25 was replaced by a strengthened Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 25 in December 2006. PPS 25 is accompanied by a Practice Guide Companion.
Defra funds the Environment Agency to advise planning authorities on development proposals to ensure flood risk is properly taken into account in the planning process. An annual report is prepared jointly by the Agency and the Local Government Association which sets out the impact of technical advice provided by the Agency on planning decisions made by English local planning authorities. The report, which is required by Defra's flood risk management High Level Target 5 details the extent to which Agency advice has been taken into account in the planning process, including the number of applications where the Agency has objected on flood risk grounds and whether final decisions were in line with or contrary to that advice.
Flood resilience standards for new buildings
A project under Making space for water is looking at flood resilience standards for new buildings. A separate project is looking at resilience and resistance for existing buildings.
Coastal erosion risk
Through Planning Policy Guidance Note 20 - Coastal Planning, (released in September 1992), planning authorities are provided with advice on the issues that should be considered when making development decision in or near the coast. PPG20 states that a precautionary approach should be taken to land affected, or likely to be affected, by erosion or land instability and, in the case of receding cliffs, development should not be allowed to take place in areas where erosion is likely to occur during the lifetime of the building. PPG20 suggests that such areas should be clearly identified and mapped and shown in development plans.
Page last
modified: 13 June 2008
Page published: 10 August 2001