Strategic Flood Risk Assessment - South Worcestershire ...

9.1.3 Protection and Enhancement of WatercoursesPlanning permission for development will only be granted where:the natural watercourse system which provides drainage of land is not adverselyaffected;a minimum 8m width access strip is provided adjacent to the top of both banks of anywatercourses for maintenance purposes and is appropriately landscaped for open spaceand Biodiversity benefits, this width may be reduced in particular circumstances withagreement from the Environment Agency and LPA;it would not result in the loss of open water features through draining, culverting orenclosure by other means and culverts are opened up where ever possible;surface water drainage is delivered by sustainable drainage systems (SUDS); andbetterment in the surface water runoff regime is ensured; with any residual risk offlooding, from drainage features either on or off site not placing people and property atunacceptable risk.Reasoned justification:Red Zone – developers should undertake pre-application discussions with the Local Authority todiscuss suitable options for managed retreat and the possibility of land swap. Confirmation ofpre-application discussions should be submitted at the application stage.9.1.4 SWDP35 static and touring caravans, chalets and camping sitesPolicy – Caravans and Flood RiskDevelopment for caravan, mobile home and chalet parks will not be permitted within the 1% plusclimate change (‘high risk’) floodplain. Where existing caravan, mobile home and chalet parksare located within the ‘high risk’ floodplain, permission will not be granted for intensification of thepark through additional caravans and/or increased occupancy. Options for the relocation of theexisting development to a suitable area of lower flood risk should be considered.Reasoned justification:There is a number of existing caravan sites within the South Worcestershire area, which arelocated within the ‘high risk’ floodplain along the River Severn, River Avon and the River Temefor example. These sites are located in unsustainable locations, where there should be nointensification of the park and /or increased occupancy. The NPPF acknowledges that theinstability of these structures places their occupants at special risk. However to ensure thatthere are no new (or intensification of) caravans, mobile homes and chalet parks within the “highrisk” floodplain we consider a policy is required to strengthen the guidance within NPPF andassist in relocating caravans to areas of lower flood risk.9.2 Key Requirements for future developmentAll sites within Zones 2 and 3, and all sites greater than 1ha in Flood Zone 1, will requirea detailed Flood Risk Assessment in accordance with NPPF, including assessment ofhazard, making reference to Section 0 and associated maps of this report. Consultationwith the Environment Agency is strongly recommended at an early stage in the FRAprocess.The layout of buildings and access routes should adopt a sequential approach, steeringbuildings (and hence people) towards areas of lowest risk within the boundaries of thesite. This will also ensure that the risk of flooding is not worsened by, for example,blocked flood flow routes.The FRA requirements defined in Section 8 of this SFRA update must be considered forall future development brought forward.2012s5947 S Worcestershire Level 2 SFRA Update FINAL Report v1.0.doc 183