Strategic Flood Risk Assessment - South Worcestershire ...

8 FRA requirements for developers8.1 Over-arching principlesThe South Worcestershire SFRA Update focuses on delivering a strategic assessment of floodrisk within the area. The Sequential Test needs to be applied to determine whether a site issuitable for development and if the site should be allocated. For some sites that pass theSequential Test, more information is required, through the preparation of a detailed FRA, toprovide confidence on whether the site will pass the Exception Test. Any site that does not passthe Exception Test should not be allocated for development.Prior to development, site-specific assessments will need to be undertaken to ensure all forms offlood risk at a site are fully addressed. It is normally the responsibility of the developer to providea FRA with an application. However, a LPA can decide to commission a detailed, site-specificFRA to help them decide upon allocations in the high risk zone. The SFRA Update cannotprovide this level of site-specific information.It should be acknowledged that a detailed FRA may show that a site is not appropriate fordevelopment of a particular vulnerability, or at all. Where the FRA shows that a site is notappropriate for a particular usage, a lower vulnerability classification may be appropriate.8.2 Requirements at detailed planning stageThe SFRA update should be used to test that the requirements of the Sequential Test are met. Ifthe development meets with the recommendations of the SFRA strategically then the specificrequirements of the Environment Agency should be addressed in a detailed FRA undertaken toNPPF requirements.Until the SAB regulations are fully established, developers are advised to contact the DistrictCouncils’ drainage officers and the Environment Agency before presuming a site can bedeveloped. Once the SAB regulations are established developers are advised to contactWorcestershire County Council and the Environment Agency before presuming a site can bedeveloped. This contact should be part of wider pre-application discussions that take otherconsiderations into account with respect to drainage and SUDS, for example ecology, openspace and amenity.A precautionary approach to development and flood risk is required. At each site, applicants forall development proposals need to carry out an assessment of flood risk from all sources andthey also need to consider the potential impact the development could have on others throughthe completion of a flood risk and runoff assessment. Guidance on sustainable developmentand the detailed required in this assessment for different types of development is provided in theNPPF and by the Environment Agency.8.3 Standard flood risk management guidance for developersThe aim of a FRA is to demonstrate that the development is protected to the 1% annualprobability event and is safe during the design flood event, including an allowance for climatechange and any historic or extreme events. This includes assessment of mitigation measuresrequired to safely manage flood risk. Development proposals requiring FRAs should:Apply the Sequential, and when necessary Exception, TestsNot increase flood risk, either upstream or downstream, of the site, taking into accountthe impacts of climate changeNot increase surface water volumes or peak flow rates, which would result in increasedflood risk to the receiving catchmentsUse opportunities provided by new development to, where practicable, reduce flood riskwithin the site and elsewhereEnsure that where development is necessary in areas of flood risk (after application ofSequential and Exception Tests) , it is made safe from flooding for the lifetime of thedevelopment, taking into account the impact of climate changeAll sources of flood risk, including fluvial, surface water and drainage need to be considered.2012s5947 S Worcestershire Level 2 SFRA Update FINAL Report v1.0.doc 172