Policy information sourced from the Lewisham Local Plan

SD7 Minimising and managing flood risk

Strategic Objectives:

E Responding to the climate emergency,

G Healthy and safe communities,

H Securing the timely delivery of infrastructure.

A The Council will work in partnership with stakeholders to implement the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan. To minimise and manage flood risk development proposals must:

  • Apply a sequential approach to the location of new development to avoid flood risk to the population and property whilst taking account of the long-term impact of climate change,
  • Not increase flood risk and reduce the risk of flooding from all sources;
  • Make space for water by providing an undeveloped setback from rivers and other watercourses;
  • Where appropriate, carry out a condition survey of flood defence and other watercourse infrastructure and if necessary, provide for maintenance, repairs or remediation to secure its functional integrity over the lifetime of the development. This includes raising the Thames Tidal Defences in accordance with the TE2100 plan, in the case of riparian ownership of land; and
  • Be designed to remain safe and operational under flood conditions.

B A site specific Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) will be required for all development proposals within Flood Zone 2, 3a and 3b, all major development in Flood Zone 1, and elsewhere in the Borough where development may be at risk of other sources of flooding. The FRA must provide sufficient information for the Council to assess whether the requirements of the Sequential and Exception Tests have been satisfied. The FRA must:

  • Be proportionate with the degree of flood risk posed both to and by the development;
  • Take account of all potential sources of flooding both on and offsite;
  • Make an appropriate allowance for the hazard posed by climate change over the lifetime of the development; and
  • Have regard to the recommendations of the latest Lewisham SFRA and the Lewisham Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.

C Where development proposals satisfy the Sequential and Exception Tests they must be designed to should ensure that:

  • The most vulnerable land uses are directed to areas of the site that are at lowest risk of flooding;
  • There is no net loss of flood storage capacity and adequate provision is made for flood storage and compensation, with priority given to on-site provision;
  • There is no detrimental impact on the natural function of the floodplain and floodwater flow routes across the site; and
  • Appropriate mitigation measures are incorporated to address any residual flood risk, including safe access and egress for all likely users of the development.

D Development proposals must provide a site-specific Flood Emergency Response Plan to manage actual and/or residual flood risk, where appropriate.

For more information and policy context please see the Lewisham Local Plan