Flood Risk Assessment Outline Template

# Flood Risk Assessment — Outline Structure

**Site Address:** [Full address including postcode]
**Applicant:** [Name]
**Prepared by:** [Consultant / Company — CIWEM qualified]
**Date:** [Date]

*Note: This template provides the structure for a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) as required by NPPF and the PPG. A qualified flood risk consultant should complete the full assessment.*

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## 1. Introduction

- Purpose and scope of the FRA
- Site location and description
- Description of the proposed development
- Relevant planning history

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## 2. Planning Policy Context

### National Policy
- NPPF paragraphs 165–175 (flood risk and coastal change)
- PPG Flood Risk and Coastal Change

### Local Policy
- [Local Plan Policy reference — flood risk]
- [Strategic Flood Risk Assessment reference]
- [Surface Water Management Plan reference]

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## 3. Assessment of Flood Risk

### 3.1 Flood Zone Classification
- EA Flood Map for Planning: Zone [1/2/3a/3b]
- Source: [Reference flood map extract — include as appendix]

### 3.2 Sources of Flooding

| Source | Risk Level | Evidence |
|--------|-----------|----------|
| Fluvial (river) | [Low/Medium/High] | [EA flood map, SFRA] |
| Tidal | [Low/Medium/High] | [EA flood map] |
| Surface water | [Low/Medium/High] | [EA surface water map, SWMP] |
| Groundwater | [Low/Medium/High] | [BGS data, site investigation] |
| Sewer | [Low/Medium/High] | [Water company records] |
| Artificial (reservoir) | [Low/Medium/High] | [EA reservoir flood map] |

### 3.3 Historical Flooding
- [Any recorded flood events at or near the site — EA historic flood map, LPA/LLFA records]

### 3.4 Climate Change Allowances
- [Apply EA climate change allowances — central and upper end estimates for the lifetime of the development]

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## 4. Sequential Test

- [If in Flood Zone 2 or 3: demonstrate that the sequential test has been applied]
- [For sites allocated in the Local Plan: confirm the sequential test was applied at plan-making stage]

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## 5. Exception Test (if required)

- **Wider sustainability benefits:** [Demonstrate the development provides wider sustainability benefits that outweigh the flood risk]
- **Safe development:** [Demonstrate the development will be safe for its lifetime, including safe access and egress]

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## 6. Mitigation & Resilience Measures

- Finished floor levels set at [X]m AOD (minimum [X]mm above [1 in 100 year + climate change] flood level)
- Flood resilient construction techniques to [ground floor / lower levels]
- Safe access and egress route via [describe route above flood level]
- Flood warning and evacuation plan
- No ground floor sleeping accommodation [if applicable]

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## 7. Surface Water Drainage Strategy

### Design Principles
- SuDS hierarchy applied in accordance with [LLFA guidance / CIRIA C753]
- Discharge rate restricted to greenfield runoff rate: [X] l/s
- Attenuation provided for 1 in 100 year + [X%] climate change event

### SuDS Features

| Feature | Location | Volume |
|---------|----------|--------|
| [e.g. Permeable paving] | [Location] | [X m³] |
| [e.g. Underground attenuation tank] | [Location] | [X m³] |
| [e.g. Swale / rain garden] | [Location] | [X m³] |

### Maintenance
- SuDS maintenance schedule and responsibilities defined
- [Management company / adopted by water company / private maintenance]

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## 8. Conclusion

[Summarise: the development is safe, does not increase flood risk elsewhere, and the drainage strategy manages surface water sustainably.]

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## Appendices

- A: Site Location Plan
- B: EA Flood Map Extract
- C: Surface Water Drainage Layout
- D: SuDS Calculations
- E: Climate Change Allowances
- F: Correspondence with EA / LLFA

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*Template prepared using PlanningCore | planningcore.uk*