Strategic Flood Risk Assessment - South Worcestershire ...

Stage 3 – Applying the Sequential TestCompare the reasonably available sites identified under stage 2 with the applicationsite:Sites should be compared in relation to flood risk; development plan status; capacity; andconstraints to delivery including availability, policy restrictions, physical problems orlimitations, potential impacts of the development, and future environmental conditions thatwould be experienced by the inhabitants of the development.3.1 State the name and location of the reasonably available site options being comparedto the application site3.2 Indicate whether flood risk on the reasonable available options is higher or lower thanthe application site. State the Flood Zone or SFRA classification for each site.3.3 State whether the reasonably available options being considered are allocated in theDevelopment Plan. Confirm the status of the plan.3.4 State the approximate capacity of each reasonably available site being considered.This should be based on:the density policy within the Local Planthe current Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)past performance3.5 Detail any constraints to the delivery of identified reasonably available options; forexample, availability within a given time period or lack of appropriate infrastructure i.e. flooddefences which protect the site through its design lifetime. This part of the test shouldinclude recommendations on how these constraints should be overcome and when.Sequential Test ConclusionAre there any reasonably available sites in areas with a lower probability of flooding, which wouldbe appropriate to the type of development or land use proposed?Next StepsException Test:Where necessary, the Exception Test should now be applied in the circumstances set outby Tables 1 and 3 of NPPG Technical Guidance.Applying the sequential approach at the site level:In addition to the formal Sequential Test, developers should apply the sequential approachto locating development within the site.The following questions should be considered:Can risk be avoided through substituting less vulnerable uses or by amendingthe site lay-out?Has the applicant demonstrated that less vulnerable uses for the site have beenconsidered and reasonably discounted?Can layout be varied to reduce the number of people or flood risk vulnerabilityor building units located in higher risk parts of the site?5.5 Exception TestIf, following application of the Sequential Test, it is not possible for the development to be locatedin areas with a lower probability of flooding then the Exception Test can be applied, ifappropriate. The aim of the Exception Test is to ensure that more vulnerable property types,such as residential development, are not located in areas at high risk of flooding. For the Test tobe passed, both the following elements have to be passed for development to be allocated orpermitted:2012s5947 S Worcestershire Level 2 SFRA Update FINAL Report v1.0.doc 32