Policy CC/FM: Flooding and integrated water management

In line with national planning policy, new development should be located in the areas of lowest flood risk where possible and should not increase flood risk elsewhere.  A

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

Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) (2021) has been prepared which identifies areas that may flood from all sources including rivers, surface water, groundwater, sewers and reservoirs.  It also shows the potential impact of climate change on these areas of flood risk.  The SFRA has been used to inform the selection of sites for allocation for development. 

This policy is needed to supplement national policy with local considerations, and to ensure that water is managed sustainably. The measures used will vary depending upon the scale of the development but the diagram above shows the possible components of on-site integrated water management, the linkages and the benefits.   

A key component of managing surface water are sustainable drainage systems (SuDS).  SuDs re-create the benefits of natural drainage systems and collect, store, slow and treat the quality of surface water to mitigate the impacts of development on run-off rates, volumes and quality.  SuDS also have multiple benefits, such as enhancing biodiversity and creating amenity space with health and well-being benefits.  Any water collected should be re-used wherever possible, which will provide additional water supply and will be key to achieving a high level of water efficiency in developments (also see CC/WE on water efficiency). 

Responses to the First Conversation consultation said that we should avoid developing in flood risk areas. The new

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

should adapt to the effects of climate change through being prepared for increased flood risks.

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.

should be resilient or adapted to flooding. Flood management policies should ensure that the risk of flooding in the area is not increased as a result of new development. Sustainable water management and permeable external surfaces were supported.

No policy, rely on national guidance – Not considered a reasonable alternative, due to the need to respond to local issues, and include a robust approach to drainage and water management.

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

  Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

  : Topic paper 2: Climate Change 

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

  Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (2021) 

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

  Integrated Water Management Study (2021) 

South Cambridgeshire

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

2018 

• Policy CC/7: Water Quality 

• Policy CC/8: Sustainable Drainage Systems 

• Policy CC/9: Managing Flood Risk 

Cambridge

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

2018 

• Policy 31: Integrated water management and the water cycle 

• Policy 32: Flood Risk

Our consultation for this phase is now closed.