Reports, Information and legislation

Information relating to flood flood risks, reports and legislation

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Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA)

The Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) has been prepared to assist Torbay Council meet their duties to manage local flood risk and deliver the requirements of the Flood Risk Regulations 2009. The PFRA provides a high level overview of flood risk from local sources, including surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses.

Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment
Torbay Council Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment Report

PFRA Review 2017

Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment Review
Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment Review report - January 2017

Preliminary Flood Risk Assessments Annexes
Three annexes detailing past and future floods and their consequences and records of flood risks and their rationale.

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA)

The Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) is part of the evidence base for the Torbay Local Plan. It has been prepared according to national planning policy and guidance on flood risk.

It aims to provide information on the risk of flooding from all sources across Torbay. It also supports the preparation of

planning policy
site allocations
the determination of planning applications.

The SRFA levels 1 and 2 replace previous versions from 2008 and 2010.

The SFRA comprises two levels:

Level 1 SFRA

Provides a strategic overview of flood risk from all sources, including

river
coastal
surface water
groundwater
sewer flooding.

It includes flood risk mapping, identifies areas potentially affected by flooding and informs the preparation of local planning policy and site allocations.

Level 2 SFRA (parts A and B)

The Level 2 SFRA builds on the Level 1 assessment and is divided into two parts.

Part A

Part A provides detailed flood modelling and mapping for the principal areas of flood risk across Torbay. It takes account of different sources of flooding and climate change. It also provides guidance and recommendations to inform plan-making and planning decisions.

Part B

Part B provides site-specific flood risk assessments to inform the allocation of sites and the application of the Sequential Test and, where necessary, the Exception Test. Parts A and B should be read together.

Level 1 and 2 SFRAs should be read together. They aim to assist planners, developers, landowners and consultees

understand flood risk
apply national planning policy requirements.

The assessments also support wider flood risk management and climate change adaptation across Torbay.

It is important to use the SFRA in conjunction with the Environment Agency's own flood mapping data.

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Level 1 2026

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Level 2 2026

Appendix A - Critical Drainage Area (CDA)

Appendix B - Torbay Coastal Defences Climate Change Adaptation

Appendix C - Surface Water Future

Appendix C - Surface Water Current

Appendix D - functional floodplain 3b

Flood Risk Strategy

The Torbay Local Flood Risk Management Strategy was adopted by the Council on 18th February 2015. Torbay Council together with partner authorities have produced the strategy which outlines the responsibilities of the Risk Management Authorities in Torbay and how they are working in partnership to coordinate local flood risk management. This covers everything from engaging with communities and preparing for floods, responding to flood events, collaborating on flood risk studies and investing in flood improvements.

As Lead Local Flood Authority for the area, Torbay Council has produced the strategy to outline the plans and procedures in place to help inform Torbay residents who is responsible, what actions can be taken and how these can be achieved.

The Strategy has been produced in line with the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

The Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

Local Flood Risk Management Strategy
Torbay Council Local Flood Risk Managment Strategy

Local Flood Risk Management Strategy - Summary Report
Torbay Council Draft Local Flood Risk Management Strategy - Summary Report

Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment
Torbay Council Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment Report

Torbay Council Flood Risk Management Strategy
Annual Action Plan 2016-17

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Design Guide
A guide to assist developers and other individuals in designing drainage systems incorporating SuDS features and provide information to aid approval of these features within Torbay.

Flooding Investigations

Under Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 the following investigation reports have been produced:

Flood Investigation Report - August 2020
Torbay Council section 19 Flood Investigation Report

Flood Investigation Report Storm Emma - March 2018
Torbay Council Section 19 Flood Investigation Report

Flood Investigation Report - November 2012
Torbay Council Section 19 Flood Investigation Report

Flood Investigation Report - October 2012
Torbay Council Section 19 Flood Investigation Report

Legislation

Directive 2007/60/EC on the assessment and management of flood risks entered into force on 26th November 2007. This Directive requires Member States to assess if all watercourses and coast lines are at risk from flooding, to map the flood extent and assets and humans at risk in these areas and to take adequate and coordinated measures to reduce this flood risk. This Directive was made into English law by the Flood Risk Regulations 2009.

The Flood Risk Regulations 2009 implement the European Floods Directive 2007. This provides a consistent approach to managing flood risk across Europe, through a six year planning cycle based on a four stage process of: undertaking a Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA), identifying Flood Risk Areas, preparing flood hazard and risk maps and preparing flood risk management plans. These regulations which came into force on 10 December 2009 and are complimentary to the Floods and Water Management Act 2010. The regulations require the Environment Agency to asses, map and manage flood risk from main rivers, the sea and reservoirs and Lead Local Flood Authorities, including Torbay Council to do so for all other flood risks.

The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 came into effect in April 2010. The act takes forward a number of recommendations from the Pitt Review into the 2007 floods and places new responsibilities on the Environment Agency, local authorities and other flood risk authorities to manage the risk of flooding.

This page was last updated on 18/09/2026 19:39:33

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