Development and flood risk : guidance for the construction industry

The effects of climate change, population growth and demographic changes mean that major flooding events are likely to become more frequent in the UK.

The impacts of flooding can be devastating in terms of the cost of repairs, replacement of damaged property, loss of business and considerable personal trauma.

Planning authorities, developers and the construction industry need to consider flooding risk as a material planning issue, not merely in obvious flood plain areas, but in a wide range of locations.

For development to be sustainable, planners and the construction industry have to be able to assess flood risk.

This book sets out practical guidance in assessing flood risk as part of the development process.

It describes the mechanisms and impacts of flooding, whether caused by rivers, the sea, estuaries, groundwater, overland flow, artificial drainage systems or infrastructure failure.

The guidance recommends a tiered approach to flood risk assessment and provides a simple-to-use toolkit to help practitioners complete the assessments. It covers UK planning policy guidance for development and flood risk and is aimed at achieving a consistent approach to the implementation of that guidance, which in turn should allow developments to be planned and designed more efficiently.

This guidance will be of value to developers, builders, designers and planners.

The book also contains much useful background information for insurers, mortgage lenders, building owners and occupiers, and others involved in the development process.