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FRA - Minimum requirements

This note provides guidance on environmental planning and regulatory issues, and may be of use at a pre-application/application stage.

It is not exhaustive, and if you have any other queries please contact frm@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

Minimum requirements

Planning applications must be accompanied by a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) that is submitted to the Local Planning Authority (LPA). To be acceptable as a FRA the applicant should confirm as a minimum:

  1. An assessment of the risks posed to the site including that based on 1% (1 in 100 year) modelled flooding (including the appropriate climate change allowance), on any documented historic flooding and risks associated with surface water run off from the site (including climate change).
  2. Proposed mitigation measures to control those risks for the lifetime of the development, based on a 1% event, including climate change, for example, setting appropriate floor levels, providing ‘flood proofing’; providing suitable means of surface water disposal**, safe access and egress for occupiers (especially important where vulnerable users or overnight accommodation); ‘level for level, volume for volume’ flood storage compensation; and evacuation management plan (in consultation with Emergency Planners and Emergency Services, see PPS25 Practice Guide – para 7.25 to 7.33) for appropriate development types for example, crèche, hotels, sheltered housing etc.
    **See advice on climate change, surface water management, SuDS and drainage below.
  3. Residual risks after mitigation, including risk during an extreme 1 in 1000 year event (0.1–1% apr), incorporating climate change.

Note: surface water flood data to assist the FRA (where available) may be obtained from GCC at frm@gloucestershire.gov.uk. Any level survey submitted as part of a FRA, in relation to any flood levels, should be to Ordnance Datum.

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