Flooding and Climate Change
Climate Change
Climate change should and is assessed as part of Flood Risk Assessments by Enzygo as predictions of climate change for the UK show the following:
Generally winters will be wetter
- Winter rainfall may increase by up to 15% in the 2050s and by up to 30% in the 2080s for some regions of the UK.
- More rainfall is likely to fall in extreme events.
Sea Level Rise
The rise in sea level will change the frequency of high water levels. For example, the current 1 in 100 year highwater mark on the east coast of England may be expected to be exceeded every 20 years on average by 2050.
Existing and proposed development in floodplains are at risk of increased flooded due to climate change. Existing and proposed development currently not in floodplains may be at risk of flooding due to climate change. Developments can also increase the risk of flooding elsewhere by reducing the storage capacity of the floodplain and/or the flow of flood water. Floods, and flood prevention works, can affect wildlife and amenity value.
There is comprehensive Government guidance on flooding, climate change and land use planning:
- England: PPG25 Development and Flood Risk; PPG20 Coastal Planning
- Wales: Planning Policy Wales Ch. 13; TAN15 Development and Flood Risk
- Scotland: SPP Planning and Flooding with supplementary advice in PAN69 Planning and Building Standards Advice on Flooding (2004)
Flooding During 2007 in Stocksbridge, Sheffield
Floodplain mapping
England and Wales: The Environment Agency provides information on flooding to local authorities under Sec 105(2) of the Water Resources Act 1991. Indicative floodplain maps show the extent of the floodplain that may be vulnerable to flooding from rivers or the sea. It should be noted that these maps do not take account of expected changes in flood risk resulting from climate change impacts.
2D animation of the impacts of climate change on flood defences
Planning for flooding: climate change
Flood risk is a material planning consideration. Local planning authorities can guide and control development so as to reduce the country’s vulnerability to floods. Avoiding the need to provide further flood defences is desirable. The Environment Agency/SEPA are statutory consultees (or, in Wales, consultees on all UDPs) and hold information identifying most of the areas known to be currently at risk. However, climate change and its affect on flooding needs to be taken into account when planning for flooding. Enzygo can provide information on this and can assess the likely impact of climate change and developments. Climate change should be taken into account when deciding whether to permit development.
Further information can be found at http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/147597.pdf.
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