Dealing with Flood Risk
Local authorities must take flood risk into account when determining planning applications. Strategic Flood Risk Assessments (SFRA) can help inform planning decisions and contribute to the evidence base for preparing Local Development Frameworks, for example by guiding the allocation of land in order to limit flood risk to people and to new and existing properties.
In 2008 we commissioned a Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) covering the whole borough which considered a number of key questions including what may flood, how, where, when and how often. This document can be found via the "Downloads" link in the "Related items" area below.
The Level 1 SFRA recognised that parts of Rotherham town centre and surrounding areas contain areas of medium to high flood risk. However as the Borough's principal service centre and given its location at the heart of the urban area, it is a key development and regeneration area. We therefore commissioned a Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for this area.
This Level 2 SFRA has been produced as part of a wider, award winning Flood Risk Toolkit intended to help developers and decision makers address planning policy flood risk requirements.
The Council already provides guidance for developers when considering developing within the Town Centre and throughout the Borough of Rotherham. The document is known as Development Control Requirements for Flood Risk Assessments, and provides general guidance to developers. However the Flood Risk Toolkit is intended to help address specific flood risk issues in and around Rotherham town centre. It covers an area including parts of Templeborough and Bradmarsh, Masbrough, Thornhill, Parkgate, Aldwarke, Eastwood and the town centre, and will be taken into account when determining applications within this area (for the detailed boundary of this area please see figure 1 in Part 1 which can be viewed below)
The Flood Risk Toolkit was selected for a Commendation Award in the Royal Town Planning Institute's Yorkshire Planning Awards 2011. The criteria for the Awards was "Excellence and innovation in the planning process, worthy of celebrating in the region's planning community". The Commendation Award recognises the pro-active and creative approach taken to develop the Toolkit, which helps developers and decision makers alike.
The Toolkit is available to download below:
- Part 1: An introduction to the Flood Risk Toolkit.
- Part 2: A 'how to guide' setting out how it can be used to assist developers when submitting planning applications. The checklist which will provide a useful aid for developers and decision makers is also available in word format on request.
- Part 3: A Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for Rotherham town centre and surrounding areas.
- Part 4: A guide to the Sequential Approach required by Planning Policy Statement 25 (Development and Flood Risk).
- Part 5: A Design Guide setting out technical specifications intended to ensure that new development of flood defence works meets the requirements of the Rotherham Regeneration Flood Alleviation Scheme.
For further information, please contact us.
Last Update: 13/07/2011