The Environment Agency have released an update to the publicly available Flood Map for Planning on 25th March 2025.

This update aims to provide a comprehensive dataset which incorporates new national modelling, local detailed modelling
and historic flooding.

 

Enhanced flood risk information has been made available which comprises:

• Flood Map for Planning (i.e. Flood Zones, 1, 2 and 3)
• Long term risk of surface water flooding (i.e. low, medium and high surface water flood risk)
• Representation of the 3.3% AEP event (i.e. 1 in 30 year event) on the Rivers and Sea Map*
• Representation of climate change scenarios on the Rivers and Sea map

* It is the responsbility of the Local Planning Authority to define Flood Zone 3b, although this is typically considered to be the 3.3% AEP (i.e. 1 in 30 year) event

What has changed?

A new National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA2) has been undertaken which uses a new and enhanced approach to national hydraulic modelling. This has been used, supplemented with detailed, local hydraulic models to provide refined representation of potential fluvial flood risk.

Please note, where new, detailed, local hydraulic models are pending, previously published Flood Zones are still shown. These will be updated in due course within the the typical Environment Agency quarterly updates.

Overall, it is understood that there is no significant change to the overall size of Flood Zones at a national scale.

 

What does this mean?

The new portal provides:

• A one-step location for flood risk information
• Improved and enhanced representation of potential flood risk
• The opportunity to understand climate change implications

 

What do I need to do?

Understand any changes to potential flood risk within your Site and the implications these may have.

These implications may adjust your approach to your Site, with regard to planning (e.g. planning strategy, need for
Sequential Test etc.) and design (masterplanning, site layouts etc.).

 

For more information, please contact:

Alison Caldwell
T: 07976 48221
E: [email protected]

Andrea Nelmes
T: 07999 830246
E: [email protected]

Phoebe Ryding
T: 07872 858452
E: [email protected]

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