Policy information sourced from Mole Valley Core Strategy

CS 20 Flood Risk Management

The Council will determine planning applications in accordance with the guidance contained within Planning Policy Statement 25 (Development and Flood Risk) and policy NRM4 (Sustainable Flood Risk Management) in the South East Plan. The SFRA will inform the application of the Sequential and Exceptional Test set out in Annex D of PPS25.

The Council will not be seeking to allocate sites or permit applications for housing within Flood Zones 3a or 3b as it considers, after undertaking the SFRA, that there is sufficient land available to meet the requirements of the South East Plan outside of these areas. Applications or allocations within Flood Zone 2 will only be considered if it can be demonstrated that there are no suitable alternatives in areas at lower risk.

The Council will expect to see the use of appropriate sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) as part of any development proposals. A Flood Risk Assessment will be required for sites within or adjacent to areas at risk of surface water flooding as identified in the SFRA. To further reduce the risk from surface water flooding all development should work towards mimicking greenfield run-off situations.

Applications which relate specifically to reducing the risk of flooding (e.g. defence / alleviation work) will be supported so long as they do not conflict with other objectives for example, those relating to landscape and townscape character.

For more information please see the Core Strategy