Developments in Wales will have to take into account future flooding and coastal erosion risk caused by climate change, the Welsh Government has confirmed.
In a 海角视频 first, developers will have to work with flood risk and coastal erosion maps that not only show current risk levels, but also the risk posed by climate change.
The new planning policy advice known as Technical Advice Note 15, or TAN 15 for short, will inform future local development plans and decisions on planning applications in areas at risk of flooding and coastal erosion.
It will be used by the Welsh Government, local planning authorities and developers to direct development away from areas at risk of flooding and coastal erosion.
Climate Change minister Julie James 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.”
TAN 15 is clear that new developments of homes, the emergency services, schools and hospitals, must not be located in areas of high flood risk without strong flood defences.
Most Read
If a local planning authority is minded to approve any scheme against this advice, Welsh Ministers will be notified and able to decide the application directly.
The Flood Map for Planning identifies four types of flood zone, with each zone having particular advice in TAN 15 for proposed developments.
The flood zones are based on current risk levels with the addition of allowances for climate change. They therefore include areas considered likely to be at risk of flooding in the future, enabling planning decisions to take direct account of the expected impact of climate change on flood risk.
The Flood Map for Planning, published by Natural Resources Wales, and will be updated in May and November every year.
Want more news like this? Sign up to the