Using the sequential test in decision making

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About this course

This training module walks through application of the sequential test for individual planning applications. This course is aimed at planning and flood risk officers engaging with the development management function of local planning authorities. It has been developed by the Environment Agency and the Town and Country Planning Association to help planners understand the purpose, application and appropriate use of the sequential test when considering planning applications through the development management process. We estimate this course will take around one hour to complete. The course is designed so you can save progress and come back to complete later.

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 the sequential test in practice...
1. The flood risk hierarchy
2. Why avoidance is best: uncertainty of funding
3. Why avoidance is best: residual risks
4. Why avoidance is best: carbon impacts
5. Why avoidance is best: insurability
1. Sequential and exception tests process - flowcharts
2. The process (text version)
1. Check if the development is incompatible
2. When does the sequential test apply?
3. Level of flood risk
4. Scale of development
5. Exemptions
1. Overview
2. Roles and responsibilities
3. Search area
4. Ranking methodology
5. Reasonably available
6. Moving on
1. Testing your knowledge of the sequential test
2. Case study example 1
3. Case study example 2
1. Q1: What happens if vulnerable aspects of a development can be kept wholly outside areas at risk of current or future flooding?
2. Q2: Does the Sequential Test apply to ‘water compatible’ uses and uses which aren’t normally staffed such as solar farms?
3. Q3: What is the best advice you can give where the SFRA is out of date, and potentially Environment Agency data is also fairly old for the area?
4. Q4: What should we do if developers argue that a site is actually at lower risk of flooding than the Environment Agency designation given?
5. Q5: Can you clarify if changes of use are exempt from the sequential test?
6. Q6: Do applications for reserved matters need to be subject to the sequential test?
7. Q7: Do applications for prior approval under Permitted Development Rights need to be subject to the sequential test?
8. Q8: Can you give any advice on the threshold for surface water flood risk triggering the need for the sequential test?
9. Q9: Do local planning authorities still need to apply the sequential test if the Environment Agency is satisfied with the FRA and doesn’t mention the sequential test in their response?
1. Summary
2. Evaluation

About this course

Free
36 lessons
0 hours of video content

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course you will:

Have improved knowledge of the sequential approach to planning for flood risk.
Know when the sequential test must be applied.
Understand which sources of flood risk need to be accounted for.
Be aware of the common challenges with applying the sequential test and how to avoid them.
Understand roles and responsibilities when applying the sequential test.
Know the steps local planning authorities can take to improve the consistency and efficiency of applying the sequential test.

Instructor(s)

Sam Kipling

FCRM Senior Adviser, Environment Agency

Sam joined the Environment Agency in 2004 and spent 14 years working in Yorkshire on a wide range of planning policy and development management work - including marine planning and nationally significant infrastructure projects. Sam now works in the Agency’s national Strategy and Resilient Places team, where he works closely with Government on planning reforms with a focus on flood risk, coastal change and sustainable drainage. He was a member of the task and finish group set up by Government to lead its policy review of development in flood risk areas and subsequent update to planning guidance. Sam has a BSc in Environmental Science and Geography and an MA in Town and Country Planning.

Celia Davis

Projects & Policy Manager, TCPA

[email protected]

Since joining the TCPA, Celia has managed the TCPA’s work on planning for climate change including the production of guidance, advice and training for local authorities and communities. Celia has an MSc in Urban Planning from the University of the West of England and is a Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI).