Flood risk assessment

Flood risk assessments might be required if your project will take place in Flood Zone 1, 2 or 3 (including Zone 3b). Check our Strategic Flood Risk Assessment maps to find out if this is the case. 

If your project takes place in Zone 1, a flood risk assessment is required if either:

• the area has critical drainage problems
• the area is affected by surface water flooding
• the project site will be more than 1 hectare
• the project will introduce new uses to the land which are more vulnerable to flooding than the old uses

All project in Zones 2 or 3 (including Zone 3b) require a flood risk assessment.

Read more information in:

• our Local Plan: Strategy and Sites 2019 (Policy P4) 
• the National Planning Policy Framework 2019 (paras 155 - 165)
• the National Planning Policy Guidance for Flood Risk and Coastal Change (ID.7 paras 001 - 008)

Visit the Government's page (opens new window) for flood risk assessment standing advice.