Everyone likes a river view, but building near water can have
unexpected challenges! Even when the river itself is out of sight,
any development on a flood plain can have potential environmental
impacts on drainage and flooding – an increasing concern in
the context of climate emergency. A failure to obtain planning
permission for development on a flood plain can have far wider
consequences than you may anticipate. In certain circumstances, it
may even send you to prison. So, what planning requirements should
developers be aware of when proposing to build on a flood plain,
and what are the potential consequences of failing to comply with
them?
As well as dealing with the practical impacts of building on a
flood plain, and considering the need for planning permission,
developers need to be aware of the potential engagement of the
Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016/1154
(the Regulations) which apply to flood risk activities. The
Regulations
