Flooding

Managing the risk of flooding – planning policies

Local Plan

The Council has specific policies in its Local Plan (2019) that places limits on the types of development that can be implemented in areas at risk of flooding or Critical Drainage Areas.

The two main policies relating to flood risk management are:

  • policy CE2 Flooding in Chapter 24
  • policy CL7 Basements in Chapter 22

The Council’s Greening SPD includes additional information about flood risk management and the role of green infrastructure.

The Council’s Basements SPD includes additional expectations regarding the information required to demonstrate that the construction of a basement will not impact shallow groundwater, as well as requiring adequate soil depth above a basement and the inclusion of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).

London Plan

Flood risk management is covered under Policy SI 12 of the London Plan 2021, with Sustainable drainage drainage covered under Policy SI 13.

Last updated: 10 July 2023