Where development must be located in an area of higher flood risk, it must be designed to be flood resilient and resistant and safe for its users for the lifetime of the development, taking climate change and the vulnerability of the residents into account.

New development shall be located on Flood Zone 1 or areas with the lowest probability of flooding, taking climate change into account, and will not increase flood risk elsewhere. Any proposals for new development (except water compatible uses) within Flood Zones 2 and 3a will be required to provide sufficient evidence for the Council to assess whether the requirements of the sequential test and exception test have been satisfied, taking climate change into account. Where development must be located in an area of higher flood risk, it must be designed to be flood resilient and resistant and safe for its users for the lifetime of the development, taking climate change and the vulnerability of any residents into account.

For developments within Flood Zones 2 and 3, and for developments elsewhere involving sites of 1ha or more, development proposals must be accompanied by a site specific Flood Risk Assessment which meet the requirements of the NPPF and Planning Practice Guidance. Flood Risk Assessments submitted must take into account an assessment of flood risk across the life of the development taking climate change into account by using the most up to date allowances available.

For all developments (excluding minor developments and change of use) proposed in Flood Zone 2 or 3, a Flood Warning and Evacuation Plan should be prepared.

For developments located in areas at risk of fluvial flooding, safe access/egress must be provided for new development as follows in order of preference:

All new development in Flood Zones 2 and 3 should not adversely affect flood routing and thereby increase flood risk elsewhere.

All new development in Flood Zones 2 and 3 must not result in a net loss of flood storage capacity. Where possible opportunities must be sought to achieve an increase in floodplain storage.

All more Vulnerable and Highly Vulnerable development within Flood Zones 2 and 3 should set finished floor levels 300mm above the known or modelled 1 in 100 annual probability (1% AEP) flood level including an allowance for climate change.

In areas at risk of flooding at low depths (<0.3m), flood resistance measures should be considered as part of the design and in areas at risk of frequent or prolonged flooding, flood resilience measures should also be included.

Where applicable proposals for new development should:

Where the development site would benefit from the construction of Flood Management Infrastructure such as Flood Alleviation Schemes, appropriate financial contributions will be sought.

For more information, please visit Braintree District Council’s Local Plan here.