Policy CC/FM: Managing flood risk

1. Flood risk from all sources will be managed using the sequential, risk-based approach set out in the National Planning Policy Framework, taking into account the impacts of climate change.

This refers to development in its widest sense, including buildings, and streets, spaces and places. It also refers to both redevelopment, including refurbishment, as well as new development.

proposals will be supported where: 

  a. the sequential test and, if necessary, the exception test have been passed and demonstrate that the development is acceptable, having regard to actual and residual flood risks (this is not necessary if the proposal is on an allocated site and consistent with the allocated use); 

  b. built development has been sequentially located within the site to avoid any areas of flood risk; 

  c. the development does not lead to an increase in flooding elsewhere and where possible reduces overall flood risk; 

  d. there is a safe access and egress route for future users of the development; 

  e. the development does not affect the integrity of existing flood and surface water management assets; 

  f. the ongoing maintenance and management of any necessary flood defences or flood mitigation measures have been agreed with the relevant bodies and the necessary agreements are in place; 

  g. the peak rate of run-off over the lifetime of the development, allowing for climate change, is no greater for the developed site than it was for the undeveloped greenfield site. Betterment must be provided on previously developed sites; 

  h. the post-development volume of run-off, allowing for climate change over the development’s lifetime, is no greater than it would have been for the undeveloped site (if this cannot be achieved, then the limiting discharge is 2 litres/ha for all events up to the 100-year return period event); 

  i. the development is designed so that the flooding of properties in and adjacent to the development would not occur for a 1 in 100-year event, plus an allowance for climate change and in the event of local drainage system failure; and 

  j. finished floor levels are 300mm above the 1 in 100-year flood level (plus an allowance for climate change), and, where appropriate and practicable, 300mm above adjacent highway levels. 

Flood Risk Assessments 

2. A site-specific Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) appropriate to the scale and nature of the development will be required for the following: 

  a. all sites that include land within Flood Zones 2 and 3; 

  b. sites within Flood Zone 1 with a site area of 1ha or more; 

  c. sites within Flood Zone 1 in locations that are identified as being at greater flood risk in the future, taking into account the effects of climate change; 

  d. sites within Flood Zone 1 where there is a risk of flooding from surface water, or are designated as an area with critical drainage problems; 

  e. sites with land that may be subject to other sources of flooding, where its development would introduce a use of higher flood risk vulnerability. 

3. The FRA should consider all forms of flooding and include an assessment of flood risk to and from the proposed development. FRAs should also demonstrate how the development will be made safe for its lifetime, including, where appropriate, the mitigation measures that will be incorporated on-site to manage residual flood risk.

The NPPF (2024) requires a sequential, risk-based approach to flooding, to avoid development in areas at high risk of flooding and steer development to areas at lower risk. All types of flooding should be considered, including fluvial (from rivers), surface water, groundwater, and sewer and reservoir flooding.

This refers to development in its widest sense, including buildings, and streets, spaces and places. It also refers to both redevelopment, including refurbishment, as well as new development.

projects also need to consider both current flood risk and future flood risk, which may be greater because of climate change. As well as minimising risk to the development itself, development should not increase flood risk elsewhere and, where possible, reduce the risk of flooding downstream, such as by reducing run-off rates using sustainable drainage systems (SuDS).

This refers to development in its widest sense, including buildings, and streets, spaces and places. It also refers to both redevelopment, including refurbishment, as well as new development.

represents an opportunity to plan for climate change adaptation by making space for water, safeguarding land expected to flood in the future, considering the use of green infrastructure in managing flood water, and by enlarging the active floodplain away from vulnerable land uses. Developers are encouraged to work with flood risk management authorities early in the design process to identify and support opportunities to make

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

more resilient to flooding.

The Councils have produced a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA), which identifies areas in

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

that are at risk of flooding from all sources and considers the anticipated impact of climate change. The SFRA has been used to inform the selection of sites for allocation for development by following a sequential approach and avoiding high risk areas. 

When assessing the flood risks that may impact a particular development, applicants should refer to the maps in the latest SFRA and data published by the Environment Agency on their Flood Map for Planning which covers fluvial and surface water flooding and their reservoir flood maps which may provide more up-to-date information on the different sources of flooding that can impact a site or a development proposal. The Cambridgeshire Flood and Water SPD and the Government’s national planning practice guidance on Flood risk and coastal change provides further guidance on when a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) should be undertaken and how it should be carried out – these documents (or their successor documents) should be referred to when preparing a planning application. 

The appropriate responsible bodies, including the Environment Agency, Cambridgeshire County Council as Lead Local Flood Authority, Internal Drainage Boards and Anglian Water, should be consulted as appropriate early in the design process for any new development or redevelopment. 
 

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

: Climate Change Topic Paper (2025)

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

Collaborative approaches to land use and water management that integrate social, environmental, and economic factors to deliver the coordinated management of water storage, water supply, water demand, wastewater, flood risk, water quality, and the role of water in the natural environment.

Study (2025)

We will consider all comments while developing the next version of the

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

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All comments must be received by 30 January 2026 at 5pm.