Policy information sourced from the Epping Forest District Local Plan 2011-2033

DM15 Managing and Reducing Flood Risk

  • The Council will require all development proposals to demonstrate that they avoid and reduce the risk of all forms of flooding to future occupiers and do not increase the risk of flooding elsewhere.
  • Development proposals which include land which falls wholly or partially within Flood Zones 2 and/or 3a and other areas affected by other sources of flooding will be required to provide sufficient evidence for the Council to assess whether the requirements of the Sequential Test and if necessary, the Exception Test, have been satisfied. The Sequential Test does not need to be applied to development which accords with the site allocation policies in the Plan.
  • Where required by national planning policy and guidance, development proposals must be informed by a site specific Flood Risk Assessment taking account of all potential sources of flooding and climate change allowances and should:
    1. demonstrate the application of a sequential approach for the development of individual sites to ensure that the highest vulnerability of land uses are located in areas of the site that are at lowest risk of flooding;
    2. preserve overland flood and flow routes and ensure there is no net loss of flood storage;
    3. ensure that there is no adverse effect on the operational functions of any existing flood defence infrastructure;
    4. provide adequate flood storage and compensation on-site;
    5. where appropriate, set out the mitigation measures that will be incorporated on-site to manage residual flood risk including finished floor levels to accord with Environment Agency’s Standing Advice; and
    6. naturalise watercourses where opportunities arise, in line with Policy DM17 (Protecting and Enhancing Watercourses and Flood Defences).
  • All proposals for new development will be required to:
    1. manage and reduce surface water run-off, in line with Policy DM16 (Sustainable Drainage Systems);
    2. manage water and waste water discharges, in line with Policy DM18 (On-site Management of Waste Water and Water Supply);
    3. ensure safe access and egress for future users of the development and an appropriate emergency evacuation plan where appropriate; and
    4. include measures to assist existing communities at risk of flooding where feasible.
  • All proposals for development within a Critical Drainage Area or an Epping Forest District Flood Risk Assessment Zone will be required to provide a site specific flood risk assessment consisting of: an assessment of the risks involved, focussing predominantly on surface water and ordinary watercourses; details of any mitigation measures on-site where required (e.g. increased thresholds); and a drainage strategy incorporating the use of sustainable drainage systems to mitigate any impacts of site.
  • With the exception of water compatible uses and essential infrastructure, or unless the Exception Test has been passed, development in areas designated in Epping Forest District’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment or as determined by specific Flood Risk Assessment as being within Flood Zone 3b will not be permitted.
  • Proposals for developments within identified Critical Drainage Areas could, based on the outcome of the site specific flood risk assessment, be subject to securing the delivery of appropriate flood alleviation schemes either on-site or by way of a financial contribution.
  • Site specific Flood Risk Assessment must be undertaken in accordance with relevant national and local requirements. Revised hydraulic modelling including climate change allowances will be required as part of a site specific Flood Risk Assessment where this is deemed necessary by the Council.

For more information please see the Epping Forest District Local Plan 2011-2033