Flood Risk Management Objectives

• manage development in ways that are appropriate to the four main sources of flood risk in Northern Ireland, i.e. fluvial, coastal, surface water and water impoundment (reservoir) breach or failure; • seek to protect development that is permitted within flood risk areas by ensuring that adequate and appropriate measures are employed to mitigate and manage the flood risks; • promote sustainable development through the retention and restoration of natural flood plains and natural watercourses as a form of flood alleviation and an important environmental and social resource; • promote sustainable development through encouraging the use of sustainable drainage for new development and redevelopment/regeneration schemes; • promote public awareness of flood risk and the flood risk information that is available and of relevance to undertaking development; and • promote an integrated and sustainable approach to the management of development and flood risk which contributes to: − the safety and well-being of everyone, − the prudent and efficient use of economic resources, − the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity, and − the conservation of archaeology and the built heritage.