Created: 12 March 2025 Updated: 25 March 2025<h4 id="id-1.NewversionsoftheFloodZones-WhytheEnvironmentAgencyproducestheFloodZones">Why the Environment Agency produces the Flood Zones</h4>The Environment Agency has the delegated responsibility for producing Flood Zones in line with government guidance. <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/flood-risk-and-coastal-change#table1" class="external-link" rel="nofollow">Table 1 of the Planning Practice Guidance</a> defines the annual probability that is used for producing Flood Zones. The Flood Zones show the extent of land at present day risk of flooding from rivers and the sea, ignoring the benefits of flood defences. The Flood Zones may also identify locations where flood risk extents could be greater if just some existing flood defences are removed, rather than all of them.Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) use the Flood Zones to determine if they must consult the Environment Agency on planning applications. They are also used to determine whether development is subject to the exception test. The Flood Zones are one of several flood risk datasets used to determine the need for planning applications to be supported by a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) and subject to the sequential test.The Flood Zones ignore the potential effects of climate change on future flood risk.LPAs are responsible for producing maps showing the extent of functional floodplain (Flood Zone 3b) as part of Strategic Flood Risk Assessment(s). The Flood Map for Planning does not identify functional floodplain.<h4 id="id-1.NewversionsoftheFloodZones-HowtheFloodZonesareproducedbytheEnvironmentAgency">How the Flood Zones are produced by the Environment Agency</h4>From 25 March 2025, the Flood Zones are produced as part of the new National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA2).  This uses new national modelling alongside local models. The updated Flood Zones will combine several datasets to create a picture of flood risk, including:<ul><li>Undefended – flood defences are removed or de-activated</li><li>Defended – existing flood defences are present and operational</li><li>Recorded Flood Outlines – from past floods</li><li>Other suitable data from third parties.</li></ul>In some locations where the existing datasets are not of the required quality and where new flood risk models are expected to be available in the near future, we will ‘retain’ the Flood Zones from older datasets temporarily until these new models can be incorporated.We have also retained the Flood Zones in some locations where we have previously received suitable data from third parties.The data used in any given location is considered the best available information we hold at that time. We will update the Flood Zones when new, better information is available and where it meets the required standards.<h4 id="id-1.NewversionsoftheFloodZones-HowtheFloodZoneshavechangedaspartofNaFRA2">How the Flood Zones have changed as part of NaFRA2</h4>We have updated our flood risk information using a new process. This has been developed for our new national flood risk assessment. The process combines new and existing data to improve our national flood risk maps.Local modelling of flood risk often captures important local features better than national modelling.The new national model is a significant improvement on our existing national modelling. We will use outputs from this national model in areas where we do not have high-quality local modelling.The new process has resulted in a range of improvements to the Flood Zones and our national flood risk mapping, including:<ul><li>Improved geographical coverage</li><li>Improved model methodologies and outputs at a higher resolution</li><li>Supporting information available alongside Flood Zones on the Flood Map for Planning, including information accounting for the possible effects of climate change.</li></ul>Flood Zones 2 and 3 will no longer overlap, with clear attribution between the Flood Zones. This is different to how the data is currently displayed, where Flood Zone 2 includes areas that are in Flood Zone 3.Our analysis indicates that at the national scale there is no significant change to the overall size of Flood Zones. However, where changes occur that coincide with proposed development, it will be necessary to ensure that the best available information is used to inform decisions.<h4 id="id-1.NewversionsoftheFloodZones-Wheretofindfurtherinformation">Where to find further information</h4>You can find out more about our new national risk information for flooding and coastal erosion by visiting this web page: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/updates-to-national-flood-and-coastal-erosion-risk-information" class="external-link" rel="nofollow">Updates to national flood and coastal erosion risk information - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a> and this related DSP announcement: <a href="https://environment.data.gov.uk/support/announcements/569147407/568393733" class="external-link" rel="nofollow">Defra Data Services Platform</a>.You can find further information on the Flood Zones and other national flood and coastal erosion risk data:<ul><li>LPAs and lead local flood authorities should access this <a href="https://defra.sharepoint.com/sites/Community4324/SitePages/Flood-map-for-planning.aspx" class="external-link" rel="nofollow">Sharepoint</a> site for briefing materials include a webinar recording, a detailed Q&amp;A document, guidance on transitional arrangements, a demo of the new Flood Map for Planning, a diagram explaining the suitability of our new datasets for development planning purposes and various materials to help local authorities brief developers locally. Users will need to register the first time this site is accessed.</li><li><a href="https://environment.data.gov.uk/" class="external-link" rel="nofollow">Defra Data Services Platform</a> product descriptions for the new datasets. These will be provided for each layer available through the service</li><li>Risk Management Authorities can <a href="https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=UCQKdycCYkyQx044U38RAsaU6Q4hwH5LhZVzCa6-BjdUQ0YzTjRIMktNRTJaOTdGS0IyQzFRSzMyRy4u" class="external-link" rel="nofollow">subscribe to updates</a> about our new flood and coastal risk information</li><li>Developers and FRA consultants can find briefing materials and guidance on <a href="https://www.tcpa.org.uk/resources/new-national-flood-and-coastal-erosion-risk-information/" class="external-link" rel="nofollow">New national flood and coastal erosion risk information</a> on the Town and Country Planning Association’s website. </li></ul>

1. New versions of the Flood Zones

Created: 25 March 2025On 25 March 2025 we published data relating to new and updated flood risk data for development planning on the Flood Map for Planning (FMfP) digital service. This includes:<ul><li>New and updated Flood Zones</li><li>Datasets indicating the possible effects of climate change on future flood risk extents</li><li>A new dataset showing 1 in 30 (3.3%) annual chance of flooding from rivers and sea extents, with any existing defences operating effectively </li><li>Present day ‘Risk of flooding from surface water’ extents</li></ul>For a full list of datasets we have published, see the related announcement ‘<a href="https://environment.data.gov.uk/support/announcements/569147407/569180162" class="external-link" rel="nofollow">Detailed data list</a>’. The dataset showing the risk of flooding with a 1 in 30 (3.3%) annual chance of flooding does not replace the functional floodplain (FZ3b) which remains the responsibility of LPAs to designate in their strategic flood risk assessments (SFRAs). However, if an SFRA is out-of-date or it doesn’t contain any data mapping functional floodplain in a location of interest, this scenario could help inform strategic and site-specific flood risk assessments to identify the likely presence or absence of functional floodplain.The <a href="https://environment.data.gov.uk/support/announcements/569147407/569180162" class="external-link" rel="nofollow">Detailed data list</a> describes which datasets include allowances for the possible effects of climate change. We have used allowances consistent with those required for most common development types as set out in <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/flood-risk-assessments-climate-change-allowances" class="external-link" rel="nofollow">Flood risk assessment: climate change allowances</a>. Some developments may still need to undertake further assessment to consider climate change scenarios or time periods in addition to those shown on the Flood Map for Planning.Customers can use the new Flood Map for Planning service to request flood risk assessment information that the Environment Agency holds. This includes flood products described at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/flood-risk-assessment-for-planning-applications" class="external-link" rel="nofollow">Flood risk assessments: applying for planning permission - GOV.UK</a>.  Further supporting information can also be found at <a href="https://www.tcpa.org.uk/resources/new-national-flood-and-coastal-erosion-risk-information/" data-card-appearance="inline" class="external-link" rel="nofollow">https://www.tcpa.org.uk/resources/new-national-flood-and-coastal-erosion-risk-information/</a> .

2. Flood Map for Planning datasets

Created: 25 March 2025We plan to add more datasets to the Flood Map for Planning service in due course. We expect these to include a climate change scenario and depth information for surface water flood risk, and depth information for rivers and sea flood risk. We paused updates to the Flood Zones when preparing to publish the updated versions. Some new flood models are not included in the data released on 25th March 2025. These are expected to be included as part of the first updates currently expected to start later in 2025.We plan to update flood risk datasets that appear on the Flood Map for Planning (including the Flood Zones) every 3 months. In 2025/26, flood risk updates may be more or less frequent as the new approach is established. In the intervening period, there will be notifications on the Flood Map for Planning service to inform customers where there is new flood risk information not reflected in the Flood Zones. Customers who may need to obtain information from these flood models can request relevant data through the Flood Map for Planning service, or by contacting the local Environment Agency Customers and Engagement teams.

3. What additional flood risk information will be added in the future?

Created: 25 March 2025We recommend using data feeds rather than downloading the dataset because data feeds ensure you are always considering the latest version of the data. Key flood risk datasets are expected to be updated quarterly, but during the first year after publication, updates may be more or less frequent as we establish our new processes.

4. Advantages of using a data feed rather than a download

Created: 25 March 2025<h4 id="id-5.TipsonusingtheFloodMapforPlanningdatafeeds-Whydoesn’tallthedataloadwhenIuseaFloodMapforPlanningFeatureservice?">Why doesn’t all the data load when I use a Flood Map for Planning Feature service?</h4>The Flood Map for Planning data are modelled at a more detailed resolution and now contain more attribution – such as Flood Source.  Whilst this reflects more advanced modelling and represents an improvement in our data, it is recognised that the data sets are more complex and larger in size.  In some scenarios, depending upon the client software, all data may not be visible when accessing data services.<h4 id="id-5.TipsonusingtheFloodMapforPlanningdatafeeds-WhichserviceshouldIuse?">Which service should I use?</h4>Flood Map for Planning data is available to download alongside WMS, WFS and OGC API – Features.  Guidance is available <a href="https://environment.data.gov.uk/support/faqs/275808874/310444036" class="external-link" rel="nofollow">Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Standards</a> on which service to use and how to use.  However, as a newer standard that’s now better supported in client software, it is recommended that OGC API – Features are used in preference to WFS for these data.<h4 id="id-5.TipsonusingtheFloodMapforPlanningdatafeeds-WhydoIonlyseeasmallareaofthecountrywhenIuseaFeatureService?">Why do I only see a small area of the country when I use a Feature Service?</h4>Not seeing all features is due to the default maximum number of features that can be requested in a single response from the server.  This limitation is in place to ensure optimal performance and prevent excessive server load when retrieving large datasets and some client software has a default number of maximum features returned.For example, ArcGIS Pro, by default, requests a maximum of 3,000 features from the WFS service to balance performance and usability.  This limit can be adjusted by modifying the layer properties in ArcGIS Pro.Due to an increase in complexity of these data, it is recommended that users refine requests on the services.  For example, defining an area of interest by following the guidance available on the OGC API – Feature landing page or consulting  <a href="https://environment.data.gov.uk/support/faqs/275808874/275809682" class="external-link" rel="nofollow">How do I use Web Feature Services?</a>

5. Tips on using the Flood Map for Planning data feeds

Created: 25 March 2025The <a href="https://environment.data.gov.uk/support/announcements/569147407/568197126" class="external-link" rel="nofollow">datasets we will not initially replace </a>sets out a number of flood risk datasets that have previously been available to download or view on the Data Services Platform, including those associated with the Flood Map for Planning service.The datasets listed below have now been discontinued and are no longer available to download. We recommend that previously downloaded datasets on this list are no longer used or relied on for development planning purposes.Local planning authorities should stop using the following datasets:<ul><li>Areas Benefitting from Defences</li><li>Reduction in Risk of Flooding from Rivers and Sea Due to Defences</li><li>Old versions of the Flood Zones – other than for comparison purposes</li></ul>Old versions of Flood Zones will still be available for download until the end of April 2025. We encourage users to download this Flood Zones dataset if you would like to retain a comparison ability beyond this date.

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4. Advantages of using a data feed rather than a download