Policy & regulation information

The Act will provide better, more comprehensive management of flood risk for people, homes and businesses. It will also help tackle bad debt in the water industry, improve the affordability of water bills for certain groups and individuals, and help ensure continuity of water supplies to the consumer.

The regulations trnasposes the EU Floods Directive into law for England and Wales. The regulations places a duty on the Environment Agency and Lead Local Authorities to prepare Preliminary Flood Risk Assessments before 22nd December, 2011, at which time the Environment Agency has a duty to publish them.

The Flood Risk Management Plans need to be produced which set objectives for flood risk management and establish proposed measures for achieving those objectives, by 22nd December 2015.

The Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment involves an assessment of local flood risk, the preparation of a Preliminary Assessment Report and the dentification of Flood Risk Areas (where the risk of flooding is significant). The guidance has been issue to raise awareness and inform Lead
Local Flood Authorities as early as possible about the preparations and actions that must complete. .

The plans help local authorities deal with local flood risk. It is proposed that local authorites we be responsible for co-ordinating the management of surface water flooding in their area.

The Planning Portal is the UK Government's online planning and building regulations resource for England and Wales. Use this site to learn about planning and building regulations, apply for planning permission, find out about development near you, appeal against a decision and research government policy.

The use of traditional materials, such as impermeable concrete, where there was no facility in place to ensure permeability, requires an application for planning permission for areas greater than 5m². The purpose of the guidance is to advise householders of the options for achieving permeability and meeting the condition for permitted development status (effective 1st October, 2008).

PPS25: Practice Guide

This is a practice guide that complements PPS25 and provides guidelines on how to implement development and flood risk policies by the land use planning system.

EA Standing Advice

Standing advice is a tool to help Local Planning Authorities establish the level of environmental risk involved with planning applications and deal with low risk applications without the need to consult the Environment Agency directly

Water Framework Directive

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) is the most substantial piece of EC water legislation to date. It requires all inland and coastal waters to reach "good status" by 2015.

The Planning Portal is the UK Government's online planning and building regulations resource for England and Wales. Use this site to learn about planning and building regulations, apply for planning permission, find out about development near you, appeal against a decision and research government policy.

SPP7: Planning and Flooding

Planning Advice Notes (PAN) 61 & 69 give good practice advice for planners and the development industry complementing the SUDS Design Manual for Scotland and Northern Ireland.  

Water Environment & Water Services Act 2003

Water Environment (Controlled Activities) Regulation (CAR)

The Civil Contingencies Act, and accompanying non-legislative measures, will deliver a single framework for civil protection in the United Kingdom capable of meeting the challenges of the twenty-first century. The Act is separated into two substantive parts: local arrangements for civil protection and emergency powers.

Government response to the Pitt Review (Dec 2008)

This document presents the Government's official viewpoint in response to the Pitt Review. It acknowledges all of Sir Pitt's recommendations and outlines the strategies that have already (or are soon to be) implemented by the governing bodies and other stakeholders to improve flood risk management in the UK.

Pitt review: 2007 floods

Sir Michael Pitt's final report on the causes and consequences of the floods has now been published. It contains 92 recommendations which he believes should be implemented in order to manage the impact of any flooding in the near future.

EA review: 2007 floods

The Environment Agency carries out a review after every major flood to identify lessons they can learn and good practice they can implement. This enables them to continue to improve how they manage flood risk and limit the consequences for people, the economy and the environment in a changing climate.

EFRA Report: Flooding

This is the fifth report of 2007-08 by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) produced in response to Pitt Review. This document supports the need for regualtory change, the greater use of SUDS and welcomes the work of the Government and the EA in the development of an overall investment strategy for flood risk management.

Water UK: Phase 1 Report

This report focuses on the industry’s immediate responses to the flood emergencies and the recovery of normal services. Recommendations for both the industry and its stakeholders are designed to ensure that the that lessons learnt from the experience can be applied effectively in the event of a flood to reduce the response time of the water industry.

Ofwat Review

This report summarises how the performance of the regulated water and sewerage companies in England and Wales during the 2007 floods in delivering water and sewerage services. It assesses the performance of the companies’ emergency response, how the companies are learning lessons and the emerging issues for regulatory policy.

ABI Review

This review is the Association of British Insurers (ABI) analysis of the Pitt Review. It proposes that the insurance industry work closely with Government, Local Authorities and other organisations to better inform the public with respect to insurance claims in the event of flood damage. It also supports the need for a more integrated approach to identify and protect critical public infrastructure.

Hull Council Review

This is the final report produced by the Independent Review Body and examines the factors that contributed to unusual flooding of the city of the Kingston upon Hull in 2007. Recommendations on preventative action and the identification of responsible agencies are also published in this review.

Gloucestershire Review

This is the Gloucestershire County Councils Scrutiny Inquiry into the floods of 2007. Like the Hull Review Council, it examines the causes of flooding and subsequent utility failures. Although this is an ongoing investigation, 75 recommendations have been made dealing with a range of issues including flood reslience and resistance and improved planning requirements with respect to new developments.

Future Water

This is the Government’s water strategy for England which sets out plans for water management in the future looking at the challenges of water supply, water efficiency, surface water management and water quality.

Improving surface water drainage

This consultation looks at approaches to improve surface water drainage. Proposals include the introduction of surface water management plans, clarifying SUDS adoption and reviewing the Right to Connect under Section 106 of the Water Industry Act.

The 6th edition of "Sewers for Adoption" was published in March 2006 ready for implementation by all Water Companies on 1st May 2006.

Aims to facilitate the implementation of sustainable drainage in developments in England and Wales by providing model maintenance agreements and advice on their use.