About this course

Making sure that development is located and designed to be safe from the risk of flooding is one of the most important functions of the planning system. Flood risk assessments (FRAs) are a key component of the evidence base for planning applications and provide vital information so planning officers can make an assessment of the suitability of development proposals. This course provides an introduction to FRAs, what they should include, and how to use their information to inform planning decisions. It is aimed at planning and flood risk officers involved in decision making on planning proposals. A certificate will be sent upon completion of the training.

Course curriculum

    1. About this training

    2. Meet the instructors

    3. Learning outcomes and course structure

    4. Before we begin, lets find out a bit more about how you use flood risk assessments in practice...

    1. What is a flood risk assessment?

    2. Why are FRAs are important?

    3. When is an FRA needed?

    1. The role of the applicant

    2. The role of the local planning authority

    3. The role of risk management authorities

    1. Flood risk assessments and the flood risk management hierarchy

    2. Future flood risk

    3. Understanding risk

    4. Understanding flood hazard

    1. Incompatible development

    2. Site level avoidance measures

    1. Measures to control flood risk

About this course

  • Free
  • 31 lessons

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course you will:

  • Understand how to use flood risk information to inform planning decisions and contribute to the creation of safe, climate resilient places.

  • Recognise the key elements of a good FRA and how this can be used to understand flood risk affecting development sites.

  • Understand where to find more information on flood risk, including using strategic flood risk assessments (SFRAs).

  • Be clear about when to consult with others and how to use this information.

  • Identify examples of flood control, mitigation, resistance and resilience measures.

Instructors

Andrew Pattinson

Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Advisor, Environment Agency

Andrew has a MSc in Environmental Sciences and a BSc in Environmental Geography and International Development. Early career work included heritage park regeneration before joining the Environment Agency in 2013 as a flood risk development control officer. Andrew has advised others on managing flood risk through spatial planning activities and permitting regulations. In Yorkshire he has been involved in various large floods through his incident response role including the 2013 tidal surge and the 2015 Boxing Day floods. In 2023 he joined the Environment Agency’s national Strategy and Resilience Places team to support the creation of improved coastal change guidance, and to look at how new evidence products can be best utilised in spatial planning activities. His work will ensure that spatial planning is effective at taking opportunities to mitigate and adapt to the predicted flood risk and coastal change as a consequence of climate change.

Sandrine Thomas

Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Advisor, Environment Agency

Sandrine has a PhD in Civil Engineering and the equivalent of a MSc in Environmental Pollution and Nuisance. She joined the Environment Agency in 2006 and spent 15 years in Greater Manchester providing bespoke advice on flood risk matters related to spatial planning. This included advice to strategic documents and nationally significant infrastructure projects. Now working in the Strategy and Resilient places team she focusses on improving guidance and training supporting the organisation’s community of experts in development and flood risk management.

Sally Roscoe

Projects & Policy Officer, TCPA

Sally provides project support across a range of the TCPA’s work areas, with a focus on the Healthy Homes campaign and work on planning for climate change. Prior to joining the TCPA, Sally worked in sustainability consulting for the built environment and homebuilding industry. She holds a Master’s degree in Environment and Sustainable Development from University College London.