Flood risk
The Environment Agency produces flood risk maps. Please see their "Am I at risk of flooding ?" page, which allows you to quickly find the predicted risk of flooding in your area. They provide a searchable interactive flood risk map along with information about:
- How to use the Flood Map
- How to sign up to Floodline Warnings Direct (a service that provides flood warnings)
- How the likelihood of flooding in your area affects your home insurance
- Other sources of flooding
How flood risk can affect planning permission
The Council's policy is to protect the function of flood plains and watercourses, and not to approve development which would increase the risk of flooding. A flood risk assessment will need to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Council that any flood risks to a proposed development, or additional risk arising from the proposal will be successfully managed with the minimum environmental effect. It also needs to demonstrate that necessary flood risk management measures are sufficiently funded to ensure that the site can be developed and occupied safely throughout its proposed lifetime.
More information on flood risk
More details of the Council's policies relating to flood risk can be found in
- Adopted Unitary Development Plan (UDP): Chapter 5, Open Environment, Policies ENV 35 and ENV 36.
- Core Strategy (official adoption date: 21 April 2009): CP3 Climate Change - Adapting to the Effects
In addition, a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) of the borough has been carried out by Jacobs. The study identifies areas in the borough at risk from flooding from the River Thames, its tributaries and other sources.
General advice on flooding is also available on our website from the Emergency Planning Team Flooding Advice pages.