Flood warnings and property at risk
7.6.1 One in six properties in England are at risk of flooding, that is 2.4 million properties at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea, one million of these are also at risk of flooding from surface water and an additional 2.8 million at risk from
surface water flooding (Environment Agency)
7.6.2 Around 204,000 properties are at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea in the South West, of which 116,000 (57%) are residential and 68,000 (33%) commercial properties. 82% of the residential properties and 66% of commercial properties are in high risk systems. (Environment Agency, 2010).
7.6.3 Nearly 79,000 properties are also at significant risk of flooding n the South West, meaning that they have a 1 in 75 chance of flooding in a given year; 29,577 (37%) of which are in Devon and Cornwall and 49,352 (63%) are in Wessex.
7.6.4 North Somerset and Sedgemoor feature in the top ten areas with the highest number of properties at significant risk of flooding but this does not take account of existing flood defence schemes and future spending (Environment Agency).
7.6.5 Climate change is expected to increase the risk of river and urban flooding in our region. Our long, varied coastline will be affected by rising sea levels, for our low lying coastal communities.
7.6.6 Inland flooding in the 2080s is expected to have increased by four to six times compared to present levels with a Standard of Protection of 1 in 100 event now becoming a 1 in 17 event.
7.6.7 Flooding from surface water occurs when the amount of rainfall exceeds the drainage capacity in an area, resulting in flooding from one or several locations. When and where this will happen is extremely difficult to predict. Historically the management of urban drainage was split between local authorites and water companies leading to a lack of consistency in management. Following the devastating floods of 2007; the Flood and Water Management Act
2010 has given Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) responsibility for the management of local flood risk (surface runoff, groundwater and flooding from ordinary watercourses. The Environment Agency is responsible for managing flood risk from main rivers, the sea and reservoirs. However they have a duty to provide advice,information and data to help LLFA's (Environment Agency).
Percentage of new dwellings built within areas of high flood risk
7.6.8 The percentage of new dwellings built within areas of high flood risk takes into account areas at risk of at least a 1 in 100 chance of flooding each year from rivers and at least a 1 in 200 chance of flooding by the sea .
7.6.9 The latest estimates for 2010 show 9% (provisional figure) of new dwellings were built within areas of high flood risk in the South West, an increase of 3% on 2009. This was below the English average of 11 with the highest recorded
of 23% for London. (Communities and Local Government, 2009).
7.6.10 Although fluctuating, the percentage of new dwellings built within areas of high flood risk in the South West has generally declined since the 11% peak in 2002.
Figure 7.6.1 Land use change: Percentage of new dwellings built within areas of high flood
risk, by region 1989 - 2009
Land use change: Percentage of new dwellings built within areas of high flood risk, by region 1989 - 2009 (Fig 7.6.1)
Planning applications and flood risk
7.6.11 Since October 2006, the Environment Agency has been a statutory consultee for all planning applications (other than minor development) in areas where there is a risk of flooding. Local Planning Authorities must now consult before making any significant decisions on new development in flood risk areas. In 2009/2010 the Environment Agency lodged objections to 7,323 planning applications in England on all flood risk grounds including surface water flooding, up from 5,198 in 2008/2009. Of these, 1,075 objections were in the South West, accounting for almost 15% of the national total. At a local authority level, Cornwall Unitary Authority had the highest number of objections with 15% (164) of the regional total, closely followed by Sedgemoor District Council with 12% (133) (Environment Agency).
7.6.12 The most up to date detailed national dataset available is for 2008/2009 and shows almost all planning decisions (97%) were in line with our planning advice on flood risk. We are aware of only 115 cases (2.2%) which were permitted against our sustained objection on flood risk. Of these 18 were major developments in England. A regional breakdown is unavailable.
7.6.13 The Environment Agency has detailed information on flooding as well as details of Floodline, which will help you to find out whether you are at risk of flooding. More information about flooding in the South West is available on the South West Environment website. See also the section on 7.7 'Climate Change' in this report.
