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Technical insights and industry updates

Case studies, policy analysis and practical guidance from Aegaea flood risk and civil engineering specialists.
  • 110 articles
  • 18 case studies
  • Written by our consultants

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21 articles on flood risk, engineering and planning.

PolicyAugust 2026

New NPPF 2026: What Does It Mean for Flood Risk? | August 2026 Update

The Government published a new National Planning Policy Framework (the NPPF, which refers to itself as “the Framework”) on 17 August 2026. Flood risk now has a chapter of its own, the SuDS rules have widened, and data centres have become essential infrastructure. Below is what has changed, what has simply moved, and what it means for your site.

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PolicyMarch 2026

Scotland’s New BESS Planning Guidance – What Developers Need to Know

On 19 March 2026, the Scottish Government published its first dedicated planning guidance for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), prepared by Ironside Farrar with input from SEPA, NatureScot, SFRS, and industry. Here are our key takeaways.

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PolicyNovember 2025

Update on Water Neutrality and Water Efficiency in Sussex North Water Supply Zone (SNWSZ)

In October 2025, water neutrality restrictions were officially lifted in the Sussex North Water Supply Zone. Find out what this breakthrough means for the region.

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PolicyOctober 2025

Fife Council Flood & Drainage Updates 2025 | Key Developer Changes

Earlier this year (June 2025), Fife Council published an updated version v3.0 of its Design Guidance on Flooding and Surface Water Drainage Requirements.

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PolicySeptember 2025

Changes to Planning Practice Guidance on Flood Risk & Coastal Change | September 2025 Update

In September 2025 (17.09.2025), the Government updated key parts of the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) on flood risk and coastal change . These updates affect how the sequential approach and sequential test must be applied in planning applications and local plans. For developers and landowners, the changes provide some helpful clarifications. But they also create new challenges and raise questions about how consistently the policy will be applied. Below we set out the changes, what they mean in practice, and how our consultants see the positives and limitations.

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PolicyAugust 2025

August 2025 Update to Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning (FMfP)

The Environment Agency (EA) has announced a further update to the Flood Map for Planning (FMfP) , due to go live on 27 August 2025. This follows the major update in March 2025 , which introduced new datasets from the National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA2) . The latest changes are designed to make flood risk data clearer and more practical for use in planning decisions.

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PolicyApril 2025

TAN15 Wales Flood Risk Policy Updates 31 March 2025

​The Welsh Government has recently updated Technical Advice Note 15 (TAN 15), providing revised guidance on planning policies related to development and flood risk. ​

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PolicyMarch 2025

Environment Agency Flood Maps for Planning (FMfP) Updates March 2025

The Environment Agency is updating existing data and integrating new NaFRA2 flood datasets as part of the March 2025 updates to the Flood Maps for Planning (FMfP). As local authorities rely on FMfP data for planning decisions, understanding its potential impact is essential for any development.

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PolicyFebruary 2025

National Flood Risk Assessment 2 Update (NaFRA2)

The latest NaFRA update released on 28th January 2025 brings with it significant changes and for the first time accounts for the latest climate change projections when assessing flood risk. We’ve analysed what this means and the impact it may have on developments in England.

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PolicyJanuary 2025

Dorset Council – Groundwater Drainage Guidance

Dorset Council have introduced guidance for Surface Water Drainage across the county. It's therefore important to check whether your project will be subject to the provision of a Surface Water Drainage Strategy.

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PolicyDecember 2024

Changes to the NPPF – SuDS – Paragraph 182

On December 12th 2024 the government updated the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The new NPPF has brought with it significant amendments affecting flood risk including changes to the Sequential Test and Surface Water Drainage.

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PolicyDecember 2024

Changes to the Sequential Test – NPPF

So, we have a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), what is the importance of the changes with focus to flood risk?

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PolicyFebruary 2023

Flood Risk Updates in NPF4

NPF4 will be adopted on 13th of February and brings with it a change in the definition of the functional floodplain. This could be critically important to developments located in, or near, the existing functional floodplain.

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PolicySeptember 2022

Planning Practice Guidance Updates 25th August 2022

The short answer is that almost everything has changed in the PPG (Planning Practice Guidance) Flood Risk and Coastal Change, from functional floodplain definition to building lifetimes and applications of the sequential test.

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PolicyMay 2022

Updated Peak Rainfall Allowances May 2022

The Environment Agency has issued updated rainfall climate change allowances for England, changing how peak rainfall allowances are applied in flood risk assessments and development planning.

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PolicyApril 2022

SEPA Climate Change Allowances in Scotland

In April 2022, SEPA updated their guidance with regard to peak flow and rainfall estimates and the additional allowance to account for climate change.

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PolicyFebruary 2022

Updates to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Local Plan

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) is expected to adopt a new Local Plan in the next few weeks.

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PolicyJuly 2021

Changes To Chapter 14 Of The NPFF

The changes to the NPPF introduced on 20th July 2021 include several subtle yet significant updates to Chapter 14 – Planning and Flood Risk – that professionals involved in planning and development should be aware of.

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PolicyJuly 2021

What Are The updates to Climate Change Allowances in England, 20th July 2021?

As of July 20, 2021, the Environment Agency has published revisions of its climate change guidance for application to river flows.

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PolicyJune 2021

How Climate Change Updates Affect Peak River Flows and Flood Planning

In accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework, February 2019, there is a requirement for development in Flood Zones 2 and 3 to consider climate change scenarios.

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PolicyDecember 2020

Changes To The London Plan And How It Will Affect Flood Risk In The Capital

Development in London is subject to National Policy and adherence to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

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