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BOC Immingham Dissolved Acetylene Project Environmental Statement: Vol. 2 Main Text
9. Flood Risk
Introduction
9.1 This Chapter presents a summary of the flood risk assessment (FRA) for the Dissolved Acetylene
Project (the full FRA is presented as Appendix 9A). It includes the relevant legislation and policy,
assessment methodology and significance criteria, baseline description, identification of potential
impacts, impact assessment, mitigation measures, residual impact assessment and
recommendations. Cumulative impacts and potential combinations of various effects due to other
planned developments are discussed separately in Chapter 16.
Assessment Methodology and Significance
Criteria
Legislation and Policy
9.2 The EA is the regulatory authority that has the responsibility for controlled waters. The EA has
developed advice to assist NELC with determining planning applications. The Department for
Communities and Local Government is responsible for the planning system, which aims to prevent
inappropriate new development in flood risk areas and to direct development away from areas at
highest risk from flooding.
9.3 The responsibility for assessing flood risk in the planning process lies with the LPA as they
prepare local development plans. LPAs are responsible for ensuring developers assess flood risk
for their development proposals.
9.4 The current planning policy guidance is PPS 25: Development and Flood Risk, was published in
March 2010. PPS 25 advises LPAs on how to manage flood risk as part of the planning process. It
has its basis in sustainable development and the precautionary principle. PPS 25 introduced a risk
based approach to the assessment of flood risk and the ‘Sequential Test’ to the allocation of land
for development. The broad aim of the planning guidance is to reduce the number of people and
properties at risk of flooding within the natural and built environment. To achieve this aim, LPAs
are required to ensure that flood risk is properly assessed during the initial planning stages of any
development.
9.5 The North East Lincolnshire Development Framework is currently being prepared. This consists of
Development Plan Documents consisting of a Core Strategy, Site Specific Allocations, Adopted
Proposals Map and Area Action Plans. On adoption the LDF will replace the North East
Lincolnshire Local Plan (2003) and the Structure Plan for Lincolnshire (2006).
9.6 The North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA)
provides appropriate policies for the management of flood risk to be included within the
Development Plan Documents and informs the Sustainability Appraisal process to ensure that
flood risk is taken into account when considering options and the preparation of strategic land use
policies.
9.7 The Shoreline Management Plan 56 for Flamborough Head to Gibraltar Point is currently in draft
format and when finalised it will form a high-level policy document from which the organisations
that manage the shoreline set their long term plan for actions and investment in managing flood
risk to the people, property and the environment. The intent of management for the East
Immingham to Cleethorpes policy area is that the defences will be held in their current position
and their function will be to maintain protection to the significant industry, port and residential
areas present in the coastal hinterland.
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