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New planning rules preventing future developments in areas at risk of flooding due to climate change are set to come into force this year.
The Welsh Government’s new planning policy advice, known as Technical Advice Note 15 (TAN 15), will require any future developments to take potential flooding and coastal erosion risk caused by climate change into account.
Developers will have to work with new flood risk and coast erosion maps, which were released by Natural Resources Wales on Tuesday, September 28, to assess the current and potential future risk.
The advice will also be used to inform decisions on planning applications in areas at high risk of flooding or coastal erosion.
TAN 15 advises against homes, schools, hospitals and emergency services being located in at-risk areas, with the Welsh Government having the power to overturn decisions made by local authorities that go against this.
The new advice will come into force on December 1, and from then on every planning application awaiting review, as well as all new planning applications, will have to be assessed against the new advice and flood maps.
The new policy will also be used to inform future Local Development Plans created by local authorities.
What is a Local Development Plan?
A Local Development Plan, or LDP, is effectively a guide used by planners, councillors and developers which maps out how an area is likely to develop.
An LDP is drawn up by each local authority in Wales and sets out proposals for future development and land use.
The flood maps will be updated every May and November to reflect up-to-date data and modelling on flood risks.
In February 2020, several communities in Caerphilly County Borough were flooded in the aftermath of Storm Dennis, including parts of Argoed, Bedwas, Crosskeys, Deri, Machen, New Tredegar, Risca and Ystrad Mynach.
Wales’ Climate Change Minister, Julie James MS, said: “Flood risk and coastal erosion in Wales is increasing as a result of climate change.
“Serious flooding events are becoming more frequent and some areas currently at little risk will become vulnerable to flooding as our climate continues to change.
“As the National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management in Wales recognises, the planning system can help communities be more resilient to the effects of climate change by locating development in areas away from risk of flooding.
“Improved knowledge of the places which will be at risk in the future can help keep people safe, by preventing the damage and disruption to homes, workplaces and infrastructure that flooding can cause.”
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