LDP Evidence Report Flood Risk and Water Environment

This survey has now closed, 

The finalised Topic paper and  the results of the consultation can be seen under the Topic Paper banner

This survey has been prepared to assist with the formulation of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan Evidence Report.

This questionnaire focuses on questions associated with the Flood Risk and Water Management Topic Paper.

This topic paper is structured in response to National Planning Framework (NPF) 4 Policy 22. The policy intent of NPF4 Policy 22 is to ensure that future flood risk is not exacerbated by development, and to facilitate the delivery of sustainable flood risk management solutions.

Local Development Plans are expected to strengthen community resilience to the current and future impacts of climate change, by avoiding development in areas at flood risk as a first principle. In addition, it is also encouraged to bring previously used sites in built up areas into positive use, plan for adaptation measures, and identify opportunities for natural flood risk management and blue green infrastructure.

This topic paper presents an analysis of the spatial implications of the need to avoid areas at risk from flooding and coastal erosion, and considers other relevant issues such as flood risk management, developing urban brownfield sites, water supply and utilising blue and green infrastructure to manage drainage and surface water. It draws conclusions on where consideration of flood risk will be necessary by identifying those settlements where these constraints may have an influence on the whether the surroundings may not be suitable for development, and identifies the site selection criteria for new development.

UPDATE - 04/09/2024: The draft Strategic Flood Risk Assessment also accompanies this topic paper. An online GIS flood risk and water management map is available at Aberdeenshire Map Layers - LDP_Planning_Policy. Select from the Map Features menu, Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.

It is likely that this paper will be of particular interest to communities within an area that has a history of flooding, and developers and landowners who may wish to consider development. 

If there are matters that you do not agree with relating to the information that we have looked at, then these are termed as "disputes". While most disputes made will be resolvable by modification of the topic paper, some will persist. If you make a dispute to this paper, and we cannot agree a solution then the dispute will be referred to a Reporter in the Scottish Government Directorate of Planning and Environmental Appeals in the Spring of 2025. Otherwise comments that you may make to this paper will be analysed and where possible resolution sought before consideration by Aberdeenshire Council, probably in January 2025.

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WHILE WE DO NOT INTEND TO PUBLISH THE INDIVIDUAL SUBMISSION MADE, THEY WILL BECOME PART OF THE PUBLIC RECORD. ALL UNRESOLVED DISPUTES WILL BE PUBLISHED ON THE INTERNET AS PART OF THE GATECHECK EXAMINATION.