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From 6-Hour Warning to Spade in Ground: What SWFFIP Means for Planning

On 16th April the Flood Forecasting Centre published the results of SWFFIP, the Surface Water Flood Forecasting Improvement Project. The programme brings two models into fuller operational use: the Surface Water Flooding Hazard Impact Model (SWFHIM), which has been running…
Posted on 21st April, 2026
, in SuDS 
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NAFRA2 and Home Sales: Rising Flood Awareness

When the Environment Agency released its latest National Assessment of Flood Risk for England (NAFRA2) in early 2025, the updated dataset immediately began reshaping how flood risk is understood — and, increasingly, how property is bought and sold. Many homeowners…
Posted on 20th October, 2025
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Planning for Flood Risk: The NPPF Explained

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is one of the most important documents shaping how and where development happens in England. It sets out the government’s planning policies and how local authorities are expected to apply them — influencing everything…
Posted on 16th October, 2025
, in NPPF 
, in SuDS 
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TCPA Raises Alarm on the Sequential Test: How Valid Are Their Concerns?

In August 2025 the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) issued a strongly worded briefing note on the sequential test. The paper reflects growing unease that the cornerstone of flood risk planning policy is being eroded through recent appeal decisions.…
Posted on 12th September, 2025
, in NPPF 
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EA Flood Map for Planning: August 2025 Update

On the 27th August 2025, the Environment Agency (EA) will roll out changes to the Flood Map for Planning (FMfP). This update aims to make climate change flood risk data easier to use at the planning stage, while keeping the…
Posted on 15th August, 2025
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Can the Sequential Test Be Reformed to Unlock Homes?

As appeals like Faversham and Yatton make clear, national policy on flood risk is straining under its own weight. The Sequential Test — originally designed to steer vulnerable development away from areas at highest flood risk — is now increasingly…
Posted on 25th July, 2025
, in NPPF 
, in SuDS 
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Texas Flooding: UK Lessons in Planning and Climate Resilience

The floods have been described as among the worst natural disasters in Texas history by officials and multiple media outlets. As of 10 July, at least 120 people are confirmed dead and 173 remain missing, with Camp Mystic, an all-girls…
Posted on 10th July, 2025
, in FEMA 
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Mayor of London Issues Urgent Basement Flash Flood Warning

As this year’s London Climate Action Week came to a close, the Mayor of London issued a direct and sobering warning to thousands of residents living in basement flats: be prepared for flash floods. As Sadiq Khan put it, “The…
Posted on 1st July, 2025
, in SuDS 
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Flood Defence Gets £7.9bn Investment in UK Infrastructure Push

The UK Government has unveiled the largest flood defence investment programme in the nation’s history, committing £7.9 billion over the next decade to better protect homes, businesses and critical infrastructure from rising climate-driven flood risks. This announcement comes amid growing public…
Posted on 19th June, 2025
, in NPPF 
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Planning with EA Flood Risk Standing Advice

Posted on 23rd May, 2025
, in NPPF 
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What the 2025–30 London Surface Water Strategy Means for Planning

As climate change accelerates and urban environments become denser, cities around the world face mounting challenges in managing water. Nowhere is this truer than in London, where the convergence of ageing infrastructure, rising population pressures, and increasingly erratic weather patterns…
Posted on 22nd May, 2025
, in SuDS 
, in TfL 
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EA Flood Map for Planning: 2025 Update Explained

On 25th March 2025, the Environment Agency (EA) launched a major update to its Flood Map for Planning (FMfP), marking a pivotal shift in how flood risk is represented for the planning system in England. This update integrates findings from…
Posted on 27th March, 2025
, in NPPF 
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Record UK Flood Insurance Claims in 2024 – Rising Costs and Risks

Flooding Costs Soar as UK Faces Increasing Climate Risks The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has announced that 2024 was the UK’s costliest year on record for flood insurance claims, with payouts exceeding £650 million. This alarming figure highlights the…
Posted on 11th February, 2025
, in 2024 
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UK Housing Plans and Flood Risk: Striking the Right Balance

The UK government’s recently announced housing strategy has come under scrutiny following reports that over 100,000 new homes are set to be constructed in areas identified as the highest flood risk in England. The move has raised concerns among flood…
Posted on 10th February, 2025
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Understanding and Managing Flood Risk with NaFRA2

Read our latest update on NaFRA2 here. Flooding is one of the most significant environmental risks in England, affecting millions of properties and critical infrastructure. As climate change accelerates, the need for accurate, up-to-date flood risk data has never been…
Posted on 28th January, 2025
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What Is a Local Planning Authority (LPA)? A Guide for Developers

A local planning authority (LPA) is the council responsible for deciding planning applications in its area and for shaping how land is used and developed. Almost every development, from a single-storey extension to a housing scheme, passes through an LPA…
Posted on 30th August, 2024
, in NPPF 
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