Water neutrality and flood risk mapping – what developers need to know
Director Neil Jaques assesses the impact of recent changes on flood risk and water neutrality services
New water offsetting scheme
The introduction of the Sussex North Water Certification Scheme (SNWCS), previously known as the Sussex North Offsetting Scheme or SNOWS, signals a major change for applications affected by water neutrality issues, with some authorities in the region already applying Grampian-style planning conditions.
Developers wishing to make use of SNWCS to meet the requirements for a planning application can request access to the scheme for water offsetting needs. There are two important exclusions:
- The development principle is not in accordance with an adopted development, neighbourhood plan or post-submission local plan
- The development is allowed under a General Permitted Development Order
Information to support a SNWCS application will now need to form part of a Water Neutrality Statement. On-site water efficiency targets also need to be documented within the proposal.
SNWCS applications will be prioritised against five key criteria:
- Schemes affected by the CG Fry court decision concerning the need for a nutrient neutrality assessment before planning conditions can be discharged
- Developments considered to be a local authority ‘corporate priority’
- Schemes maximising on-site water-saving measures
- Residential-only schemes that demonstrate compliance with affordable housing policy
- Non-residential schemes where community services or infrastructure supporting development will be provided, such as minerals or waste development, or educational, community or medical facilities
Updates to flood map modelling
The Environment Agency has upgraded its flood mapping to respond to improvements in national data and recent local modelling evidence.
With enhanced resolution and inclusion of climate change projections, the new mapping will aid the production of flood risk assessments and help developers determine the most appropriate land for their schemes. However, it is likely that more properties, and therefore more sites, could be identified as at risk of fluvial or surface-water flooding.
Almost 90 per cent of properties at risk of flooding in England will be suitable for the new data and mapping tool. The remaining 10 per cent will need detailed local modelling if gaps or errors in the input data are to be avoided.
To find out the implications for your next project, early consultation with a flood risk expert is recommended. Email njaques@motion.co.uk
