Skip to main content
Elmbridge Borough Council

Services menu

  • My Account

Main navigation

  • Benefits and support
  • Bins, waste and recycling
  • Business
  • Business rates
  • Cemeteries services
  • Community safety
  • Community support
  • Cost of living support
  • Councillors and decision making
  • Council Tax
  • Elections
  • Environment
  • Housing
  • Leisure and culture
  • Licensing
  • Parking and roads
  • Planning
  • Shaping Elmbridge
  • Sports and health
  • Street cleaning
  • Sustainable Elmbridge
  • Your council

Breadcrumbs

  1. Home
  2. Planning
  3. Planning policy and guidance
  4. Supplementary planning documents (SPDs)

Guide Navigation

Skip Guide Navigation
  • Overview
  • Design Code SPD
  • Design and Character SPD
  • CIL and Development Contributions SPD
  • Flood Risk SPD
  • Parking SPD

Supplementary planning documents (SPDs)

Flood Risk supplementary planning document (SPD)

A significant proportion of the borough is located within areas at risk of river flooding associated with the Thames, Mole, Dead River, Rythe and Wey. 

The borough is also affected by flooding from other sources, including surface water, groundwater, sewers and reservoirs. The pressure for development is high and it's important that the implications of flood risk are taken into account. 

The Flood Risk SPD aims to ensure that where possible development is directed to areas of lowest flood risk. Where development takes place in areas at risk of flooding, the SPD seeks to ensure that development: 

  • is safe 
  • does not increase flood risk elsewhere 
  • where possible reduces flood risk overall 

The SPD is designed mainly as a practical tool to assist applicants in preparing Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs) to accompany planning applications to ensure that enough information is provided to support an application. 

The SPD doesn't set new requirements for validation or policy. It has been prepared to assist in the implementation of Core Strategy policy CS26 (Flooding) and the submission of Flood Risk Assessments. The guidance will help applicants to: 

  • understand how flood risk is dealt with as part of the planning process 
  • identify the flood risk to a property or site 
  • consider whether the proposed development is appropriate 
  • determine if a Flood Risk Assessment is required 
  • access the various pre-application services available 
  • complete the appropriate Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) proforma and prepare a fit for purpose FRA 
  • submit a valid planning application 
  • outline which organisations the council will consult with 
  • determine if any other consents are required 

The Flood Risk SPD was adopted by the Council on 3 May 2016.  

Document
Flood Risk SPD (PDF, 1.38MB)
Document
FRA proforma for major development schemes (PDF, 522.07KB)
Document
FRA template for small scale development including householder extensions (PDF, 517.91KB)
Document
FRA explanatory note (PDF, 98.59KB)

Supporting documents 

Document
Flood Risk SDP Adoption statement (PDF, 335.73KB)

The user guide assists applicants and agents in preparing a Flood Risk Assessment in support of householder extensions in Flood Zone 2 or householder applications in areas of medium to high surface water flood risk:

Document
Flood risk assessment user guide (PDF, 340.35KB)

If applicants don't provide a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA), and where appropriate sequential and exception tests, it is likely to result in delays to the consideration of applications and potential refusal of planning permission. 

A completed FRA does not automatically mean that the development is acceptable in flood risk terms. 

  • Previous
  • Next

Help improve this site by giving feedback

Elmbridge Borough Council

Get in touch

  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Jobs

Follow us

  • facebook
  • Instagram
  • linkedin
  • youtube