How to use flood map for planning data

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How should the data be used?

The data shown on the flood map for planning should be used alongside strategic flood risk assessments (SFRAs).

Users of these datasets should always check they are suitable for the intended use.

See how to prepare a strategic flood risk assessment for further advice on using these datasets in SFRAs.

The table below explains how the datasets shown on the flood map should be used in planning.

Flood risk assessment

• Identify the need for flood risk assessment:

  To identify the need for a flood risk assessment use:

  • flood zones 2 and 3
  • flood zones plus climate change
  • water storage areas
  • surface water layers

  Only present day surface water flood risk is shown. Refer to the suitability of datasets for development planning (PDF) for further guidance on using this alongside other surface water information.

• Inform a Flood risk assessment:

  You can use all the data layers to inform a flood risk assessment. We often hold additional information, which can help you produce a flood risk assessment. You can order flood risk data through the flood map for planning service.

Sequential and exception tests

• Identify the need for the sequential test:

  To identify the need for the sequential test use:

  • flood zones 2 and 3
  • flood zones plus climate change
  • water storage areas (if the local planning authority's strategic flood risk assessment defines as flood zone 3b)
  • surface water flood risk layers

  Only present day surface water flood risk is shown. Refer to the suitability of datasets for development planning (PDF) for further guidance on using this alongside other surface water information.

• Identify the need for the exception test:

  To identify the need for the exception test use:

  • flood zones 2 and 3
  • water storage areas (if the local planning authority's strategic flood risk assessment defines as flood zone 3b)
• Inform application of sequential and exception tests:

  To inform application of sequential and exception tests use:

  • flood zones 2 and 3
  • flood zones plus climate change
  • defences
  • water storage areas (if local planning authority's strategic flood risk assessment defines as flood zone 3b)
  • surface water flood risk layers

  Only present day surface water flood risk is shown. Refer to the suitability of datasets for development planning (PDF) for further guidance on using this alongside other surface water information.

  We recommend that those producing local plans and ranking methodologies should discuss this with the Environment Agency. Additional supporting datasets are available through the data services platform, which may further help local planning authorities producing a ranking methodology.

Development incompatibility

Trigger local planning authority to consult Environment Agency or apply standing advice

• Data that can be used to trigger this process:

  Subject to applying the process set out in national flood risk standing advice for local planning authorities:

  • flood zones
  • main rivers
  • water storage areas (if the local planning authority's strategic flood risk assessment defines as flood zone 3b)
  • functional floodplain (flood zone 3b) designated in the local planning authority's strategic flood risk assessment

  Local planning authorities should also refer to ‘flood zones plus climate change’ when deciding whether to consult the Environment Agency or follow standing advice. Flood zone 1 sites that are within the ‘flood zones plus climate change’ extent should be treated as if they were in flood zone 2.

  You can find out if the Environment Agency will be consulted on your application or if flood risk standing advice applies by visiting flood risk assessments: applying for planning permission.

The material displayed in this service, including maps and risk data, is provided without any guarantees, conditions or warranties as to its accuracy. See our terms and conditions for more information.

To produce a suitable flood risk assessment, other datasets and assessments will be needed.

What are ‘flood zones plus climate change’?

Flood zones plus climate change data is provided to help you further investigate flood risk.

The flood zones plus climate change dataset shows how the combined extent of flood zones 2 and 3 could increase with climate change over the next century, ignoring the benefits of any existing flood defences.

We have assumed no changes to flood defences or land-use that could occur in future.

The effects of climate change on future flood risk could be different to the risk shown in this dataset.

We have used climate change allowances that will be suitable for most common development types, as set out in the flood risk assessments climate change allowances guidance.

Climate change allowances

Flood zones plus climate change uses the following climate change allowances:

• peak river flow 'central' allowance, based on the 50th percentile for the 2080s epoch (2070 to 2125)
• sea and tidal flooding 'upper end' allowance to account for cumulative sea level rise to 2125, based on the 95th percentile

Some developments may need to carry out further assessment of the effect of climate change.
For example:

• nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) that may need to consider a credible maximum scenario in line with the relevant national policy statement
• developments with significantly longer or shorter lifetimes than the time horizons we have used

More information on when to use other climate change allowances.

What does ‘climate change data unavailable’ mean?

In some locations flood zones plus climate change data is not currently available while we make important improvements to our data.

These locations are shown as dotted areas on the flood map for planning. See the map key.

For development sites falling within these locations, further assessment is needed to inform:

• the application of the sequential and exception tests
• the need for a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA)

The Environment Agency may still hold other flood risk information that can be used to inform a flood risk assessment, which can be requested through the flood map for planning service. Strategic flood risk assessments should also be checked for relevant information in these locations.

As new models, data and information become available that meet our quality assurance standards, we will add these to the flood map for planning.