Policy information sourced from the Southwark Local Plan 2022
P68 Reducing flood risk
- Development must not increase flood risk on or off site, by ensuring that:
- It is designed to be safe and resilient to flooding; and
- Finished floor levels are set no lower than 300mm above the predicted maximum water level where they are located within an area at risk of flooding; and
- Major development reduces surface water run-off to greenfield run-off rates. This must be through the application of water sensitive urban design and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), in accordance with the following drainage hierarchy:
- Store rainwater for later use; then
- Use infiltration techniques; then
- Attenuate rainwater in ponds or open water features for gradual release; then
- Discharge rainwater direct to a watercourse; then
- Discharge rainwater to a surface water sewer/drain; then
- Discharge rainwater to the combined sewer; and
- Hard surfacing of any gardens is permeable.
- Development located on sites on or adjacent to the River Thames frontage should be set back from the River defence wall by 10m. This space should be designed and delivered for dual purposes by incorporating the required flood defence measures and providing an enhanced public amenity and environmental benefit.
For more information please see the Southwark Local Plan 2022