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Check if a flood risk assessment is needed

A flood risk assessment (FRA) is required for all development (including change of use):

  • within flood zones 2, 3 or 3b
  • within flood zone 1 with a site area of 1 hectare or more
  • within areas with critical drainage problems
  • within flood zone 1 where your LPA's SFRA shows it will be at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea in future
  • that increases the vulnerability classification1 and is in flood zone 1 where your LPA's SFRA shows it is at risk from other sources of flooding


If a FRA is required, the LPA can refuse planning permission if you don’t provide one, or if the FRA you provide is inadequate.

  1. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/annex-3-flood-risk-vulnerability-classification

The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). All content © 2024 Planning Portal.

The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). All content © 2024 Planning Portal.