New flood risk content on Planning Portal

Planning Portal has recently worked in partnership with the Environment Agency to improve our guidance for applicants on understanding and assessing flood risk in development proposals.

Our hope is that this guidance will enable the right kind of development in the right places and increase the chances that planning applications contain all necessary information on flood risk and drainage up-front. This should lead to a smoother and more certain application process which is less likely to attract objections on related grounds.

For customers that are new to this issue, we’ve also included an introductory video, produced by the Environment Agency and the Town and Country Planning Association. The video, titled “Planning for the climate emergency: The role of town and country planning in flood and coastal resilience” explains why flood risk is an important consideration, and sets out the steps needed through planning to enable sustainable and climate resilient development.