The Strategic Flood Risk Assessments (SFRAs) have been carried out for the West Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit by Scott Wilson, and are background evidence-based documents which will inform the Local Development Framework. The Environment Agency has provided technical advice and modelling data.
A SFRA is a technical document. It maps flood risk and planned development within a district or borough council’s boundary.
There are two levels of SFRA – a Level 1 and a Level 2.
- A Level 1 SFRA collects existing data on all sources of flooding and maps this flood risk information comprehensively. All planned development is considered across an entire council boundary. Where it is not possible to allocate all development in areas with low flood risk, further assessment is done.
- A Level 2 SFRA looks in detail at any overlaps between areas of flood risk and planned development found in a Level 1 SFRA. This detailed work includes:
• an appraisal of the current condition of flood defence infrastructure
• the likely future policy regarding maintenance and upgrade of these flood defences
• the probability and consequences of overtopping or failure of flood risk management infrastructure
• the effects of climate change over the development’s lifetime.
The SFRA forms part of the evidence base for the preparation of the Local Development Framework and in particular the Joint Core Strategy.
The Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment which was completed in 2009 recommended that two Level 2 Assessments be undertaken:
1. One for Daventry and South Northamptonshire (completed in June 2009) ; and
2. One for Northampton (completed in February 2010).
Please use the following links to view each of these documents.