3.Flood Risk Areas

The district Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA)of 2008 highlights the extent and nature of flooding across the district. The study area has many local rivers and smaller tributaries running through it most notable the Wye and the Severn rivers and it is the latter that is most prone to flooding and could have the most adverse effect on settlement in the future. There are several other rivers and tributaries of the Severn that flow into the Severn and routinely flood. These include the river Lyd, Blackpool Brook, Forge Brook, Bideford Brook and the Soudley Brook. All are covered by flood alerts and do routinely break their banks. The map shows areas in blue that are flood Zone 3a and represent areas with the highest and most frequent risk of flooding in the study area. They are not suitable for development. Not just because of present flood risk but also projected risk of flooding is due increase due to predicted increased rain fall and sea level increases. Net sea level gain in relation to 1990 is predicted to be 14.8mm / year across the South West (Table 4. P 10,Department for Communities and Local Government, 2012). In addition, plans for a Severn barrage have been muted and this would need to be considered. This resonates in NPPF,2021.2.1, achieving sustainable development and ensuring that future development should adapt to the effects of climate change. The SFRA goes on to state that the primary objective is to steer development towards areas of lowest flood risk (Flood Zone 1). Where development cannot be located in Flood Zone 1, the planning authority will need to apply the Sequential Test to land use allocations.( SFRA,2008). The settle will comprise of vulnerable infrastructure such as health centres schools and transport infrastructure and therefore development in flood Zones 2 and 3 should be avoided.

“Councils will need to demonstrate that the development will be safe from flooding for its lifetime, will not increase flood risk elsewhere, and where possible will reduce flood risk overall.

“The new guidance provides vital advice to planners and developers to encourage the use of more sustainable drainage systems to reduce surface water flood risk as well as how to plan and adapt to coastal change.”( Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, press release August 2022).

On the governments flood map for planning website detailed breakdown of flood risks for specific areas can be obtained, referred to as a product 4 and these data includes a flood zone map (flood map for planning), historic flood outlines, relevant modelled flood levels and extents, flood defence locations and attributes.

In the revised Planning Policy Guidance(PPG, 2022) specific reference is made to mitigation of the effects of surface water and to Suds. It states that many types of sustainable drainage systems are possible, contributing to reducing the causes and impacts of flooding. Multifunctional sustainable drainage systems can deliver a wider range of additional biodiversity and environmental net gains such as to:

· ameliorate urban heating and air pollution; replenish groundwater resources;

· contribute to biodiversity net gain targets; capture and re-use rainwater;

· store carbon; reduce the need for carbon-intensive construction techniques and pumped systems;

· release capacity in combined sewerage systems and at wastewater treatment works; create and connect valuable areas of blue green infrastructure.

· reduce lifetime maintenance costs; and

· enhance the attractiveness and value of new development by integrating water management with habitat for wildlife and opportunities for amenity and recreation.

(PPG Revised, 2022, Paragraph: 055 )

This will directly effect the design of blue and green infrastructure of the site and support the approach to SuDS and Natural Flood Management. (NFM)