The Provision of Integrated Water Management Studies

The Council intends to start a review of the Local Plan in 2022 for which Integrated Water Management Studies (IWMS) will be developed to form an important element of the evidence base. The IWMS will include a Level 1 and 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) and Stage 1 and 2 Water Cycle Study (WCS). The studies will be undertaken in two phases as follows, with drafts required 6 weeks before.

Completion of Phase 1: Level 1 SFRA and Stage 1 WCS: 31 October 2023

Completion of Phase 2: Level 2 SFRA and Stage 2 WCS: 13 December 2024

Phase 1 will be used to determine future patterns of growth steering sites and growth towards the areas of the district at the lowest risk of flooding from all sources (taking climate change into account) in preference to medium and high-risk sites. It will also help the Council to understand the implications of growth patterns, the amount of growth that can be accommodated and broad locations within the district ensuring growth is as sustainable as possible. It should ensure that water infrastructure is identified to support projected employment and housing growth and that the cumulative impact of development (on a catchment wide basis), potential patterns of growth, changing land use and climate change is taken into account with regard to flood risk, water resources and wastewater management.

Phase 2 will support site specific flood risk assessments and strategies for growth, determine the acceptability of flood risk in relation to emergency planning capability; and allow the consideration of opportunities to reduce flood risk to existing communities and developments through better management of surface water, provision for conveyance and of storage for flood water. It will assess the specific implications of growth and suitability of sites and allocations including how potential regeneration areas can be addressed in terms of reducing flood impact on previously developed land taking into account all sources of flooding, water resources, management and quality with site specific recommendations provided.