The Scottish Government

Flooding

Flooding is a natural phenomenon which cannot entirely be prevented particularly in those areas close to watercourses, the sea, where groundwater is a problem, or with inadequate drainage. The effects can be devastating, damaging property and putting lives at risk. Well considered and effective planning can help to reduce the risk.

Policy summary

Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 7: Planning and Flooding provides detailed policy on flooding, and this is supported by Planning Advice Note (PAN) 69: Planning and Building Standards Advice on Flooding . The key aim of the policy is to prevent:

• developments which would be at significant risk of being affected by flooding
• developments which would increase the probability of flooding elsewhere.

SPP Update

As part of the commitment to proportionate and practical planning polices, the Scottish Government is rationalising the Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) and National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG) series into a single, shorter statement of national planning policy. The initial sections of the consolidated SPP were published in October 2008 as Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) covering the core principles, aspirations and expectations of the planning system. The remaining sections of the consolidated SPP, covering community engagement, sustainable development, outcomes and the subject policies, were published for consultation in April 2009. The consultation closed in June 2009. A further consultation on changes to the sustainable development, climate change, flooding and coastal planning sections and to policy on onshore oil and gas operations and high amenity business locations ran fron September 30, 2009 until November 12, 2009. The final consolidated SPP will at published by the end of 2009. More information on the consolidation is available on the SPP home page.