Flood Maps for Planning Released - What We Now Know!

27 March 2025

The Environment Agency released updated flood risk data on the 25th March, providing a more detailed and accurate assessment of potential flooding across the UK. We now have access to the comprehensive Flood Maps for Planning and all associated updated datasets, enabling us to evaluate flood risks for development projects with the most current information.

Upon receiving the updated Flood Maps for Planning, our first review against a range of clients sites, looks more optimistic than we had first thought. However, it is important to note that this may not be the case for all, and assessments should be taken on a site-by-site basis. While some sites may benefit from the refined data, others may face stricter challenges, reinforcing the need for thorough evaluation.

Earlier this year, the Environment Agency released the National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA2) and the National Coastal Erosion Risk Map (NCERM). These updates include:

• Enhanced Data Resolution: The use of higher-resolution data and refined modelling techniques provides greater accuracy in assessing flood risks from surface water, rivers, and coastal sources.
• Climate Change Projections: The latest UK Climate Projections (UKCP18) for the '2050s' epoch (2022 to 2060) have been integrated, offering insights into how climate change may influence flood risks over time.
• Detailed Flood Defence Assessments: The updated datasets offer more comprehensive evaluations of flood defences, providing a clearer picture of their effectiveness in mitigating flood risks.

These advancements improve our ability to make informed decisions regarding flood risk management and development planning.

Implications for Planning and Development

• Revised Flood Risk Classifications: The updated datasets have refined the assessment of properties at risk, with improved modelling increasing the accuracy of flood zone classifications. This means some sites may now fall into different risk categories than before.
• Additional Datasets: The updates Flood Map for Planning now includes additional datasets for the first time which, existing applications (pending consideration) and new applications will be assessed against, including Surface Water, Rivers and Seas 1 in 30 Defended Scenarios, and climate change uplifts based on the latest Climate Change Projections (UKCP18). In addition to this, the EA aims to update these datasets every 3 months, and coastal erosion data annually.
• Impact on Current Planning Applications: Planning applications pending consideration before the update on the 25th March, or submitted after this date, will be reassessed against the new data, if additional information is required. Changes in flood zone classifications could mean that further reports or mitigation measures are needed to comply with planning requirements.

Sites currently within the planning network will be assessed against the new mapping and the relevant planning authority will communicate any requirements for additional information or reassessment, however, any developers, housebuilders, consultants or individuals, should make sure any sites due to be submitted are assessed against the new data to determine any potential impacts on their projects.

At MEC, we are actively reviewing these updates and their implications for planning requirements. If you are uncertain about how these changes impact your current or future projects, our flood risk team is available to provide assessments and guidance.

For more information on any of the details mentioned, or to discuss a current or future project, contact our team on:

  Ryan Chafer

  ryan.chafer@m-ec.co.uk

  01530 264753

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