Flood risk and development

STOP PRESS: An updated version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published on 12 December 2024. This content is being reviewed in accordance with the latest version.

Flood risk assessment (FRA) is imperative in the context of property, legal and financial markets becoming increasingly sensitive to flood risk and the escalating cost of flood damage. Since flood risk management has become an important part of all new developments and property conveyancing, a range of products and assessments now exist in the market place providing varying scope and detail. See Practice Notes: Flooding—flood risk and development, Flood insurance—overview of the market, Flooding—Law Society practice note on flood risk and Flooding—flood searches.

Planning policy on flood risk

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) provides the current national planning policy on flood risk in England. The NPPF states that the planning system should support the transition to a low carbon future in a changing climate, taking full account of flood risk and coastal change, and that inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding should be avoided by directing development away from areas at highest

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