Pre-Application Stage: Flood Risk Assessment Requirements

The onus rests on the developer/applicant to identify and assess the potential for flood risk to their proposed development by referring to the Strategic Flood Map. Information and guidance is available on the Rivers Agency website at www.dardni.gov.uk/index/strategic-flood-maps.htm. Where flooding is identified as a potential development constraint and it is considered within the policy that there may be no justification for the development to proceed then the applicant should give consideration to an alternative site, and discuss with planners at pre-application stage, as necessary. For developments, where flooding or drainage is identified as a potential development constraint, and it is considered that the risks can be managed in accordance with the policy, then early consultation with the planning authority through a pre application discussion is advisable. Should a formal application be submitted, the applicant is required to make reference to relevant published flood risk information as well as any locally known flood risks that may have implications for development on the site.