The majority of the site is located within Flood Zone 1 in the Environment Agency’s flood map for planning. This means that it is at the lowest risk of flooding from watercourses. A very small area in the southwestern corner of the eastern site parcel is located within part of Flood Zone 2, however no development is proposed within this location.
In terms of surface water, the Environment Agency mapping indicates that the vast majority of the site is at less than low risk of surface water flooding. There is a small isolated area of low to medium surface water risk within a low spot in the northwestern corner of the site.
A site-specific Flood Risk Assessment will be submitted as part of the planning application for the proposed development. The Flood Risk Assessment will assess flood risk from all sources and be in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework and associated Planning Practice Guidance for Flood Risk and Coastal Change. The Flood Risk Assessment will be informed by site visits, topographical survey mapping in relation to flooding and the local Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.
Sustainable drainage system
To mitigate the potential for an increase in surface water runoff from the development, a Sustainable Drainage Strategy will be developed in accordance with Worcestershire County Council Lead Local Flood Authority Sustainable Drainage Systems Design Guidance and the National Standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems. This will ensure that any increase in surface water runoff will be attenuated within the site, ensuring that surface water discharge rates do not exceed existing levels and, where possible, will provide betterment over the existing runoff from the site.
In addition to managing surface water from the development, the sustainable drainage features incorporated within the development will provide new wetland habitat with appropriate planting, contributing to biodiversity net gain.
Early-stage consultation has been undertaken with Severn Trent Water, North Worcestershire Water Management and Worcestershire County Council Lead Local Flood Authority including discussions on the surface water outfall location and their requirements should a pumped surface water connection be required. Consultation will continue throughout the preparation of the planning application. A Sustainable Drainage Strategy report will be submitted to support the planning application.
A Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) for the site will ensure that surface water discharge rates do not exceed existing levels, while providing new wetland habitat to enhance biodiversity.
Foul water
Given the site topography, a pumped foul drainage solution will be required. Severn Trent Water have been consulted and have confirmed an in-principal connection from the development to the existing foul drainage network, subject to sewer modelling. There are known foul sewers within the north of the site which will be accommodated or diverted as part of the proposed development. Details of the proposed foul drainage strategy will be provided within the Sustainable Drainage Strategy submitted as part of the planning application.