[ Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25): Development and Flood Risk ]

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Planning shapes the places where people live and work and the country we live in. It plays a key role in supporting the Government’s wider economic, social and environmental objectives and for sustainable communities.

Planning Policy Statements (PPS) set out the Government’s national policies on different aspects of land use planning in England. This PPS replaces Planning Policy Guidance Note 25: Development and Flood Risk, published in 2001, which is hereby cancelled.
The policies in this PPS should be taken into account by regional planning bodies in the preparation of Regional Spatial Strategies; by the Mayor of Greater London in relation to the Spatial Development Strategy in London; and, in general, by local planning authorities in the preparation of local development documents. They may also be material to decisions
on individual planning applications. These policies complement other national planning policies and should be read in conjunction with Government policies for flood risk and water management, including those set out in Making Space for Water and forthcoming Water Framework Directive guidance.
A supporting Practice Guide will provide guidance on the implementation of the policies set out in this PPS.

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PPS25 Contents

• Background
• Key Planning Objectives
• Decision-making Principles
• Risk-based Approach
  • Flood Risk Assessments
  • The Sequential Approach
  • The Sequential Test
  • The Exception Test
• Responsibilities
  • The Owner/Developer
  • The Regional Planning Body
  • The Local Planning Authority
  • The Environment Agency
  • Other Bodies
  • Working in Constructive Partnership
• Monitoring and Review
• Annex A The Government’s Aims for Sustainable Development
• Annex B Climate Change
• Annex C Forms of Flooding
  • looding from Rivers
  • Flooding from the Sea
  • Flooding from Land
  • Flooding from Groundwater
  • Flooding from Sewers
  • Flooding from Reservoirs, Canals and Other Artificial Sources
• Annex D The Sequential Test and Exception Test
  • The Sequential Test
  • Flood Zones (Table D.1)
  • Flood Risk Vulnerability Classification (Table D.2)
  • Flood Risk Vulnerability and Flood Zone ‘Compatibility’ (Table D3)
  • The Exception Test
  • Minor Development and Changes of Use
  • Removal of Permitted Development Rights
  • Caravans and Camping; Chalets and Mobile Homes
• (including Gypsy and Traveller Sites)
• Annex E The Assessment of Flood Risk
  • General Principles
  • Regional Flood Risk Appraisals (RFRAs)
  • Strategic Flood Risk Assessments (SFRAs)
  • Site-specific Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs)
• Annex F Managing Surface Water
  • Drainage Systems
  • The Effect of Development
  • Surface Water Drainage and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS)
• Annex G Managing Residual Flood Risk
  • Development Behind Existing Defences
  • Other Infrastructure Acting as a Flood Defence
  • Developer Contributions
  • Flood Resilience and Resistance
  • Flood Warning and Evacuation Plans
• Annex H Roles and Responsibilities of Parties
  • The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
  • Communities and Local Government
  • Government Offices
  • The Highways Authorities
  • Sewerage Undertakers
  • Reservoir Undertakers
  • Emergency Services and Multi-Agency Emergency Planning
  • The Insurance Industry
  • The Community
  • Operating Authorities
  • The Environment Agency
  • Local Authorities
  • Internal Drainage Boards

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