Content

The Fenland Flood Risk
Sequential Test Methodology was approved by Planning Committee in
February 2018. This document is not a Supplementary Planning
Document – meaning that it currently has very limited weight
in decision making. This decision seeks to withdraw the Fenland
Flood Risk Sequential Test Methodology as a material consideration
in the determination of planning applications defaulting to more up
to date national guidance.
 
Portfolio Holder’s Decision:
Agree to withdraw the Fenland
Flood Risk Sequential Test Methodology as a material consideration
in the determination of planning applications.
 

Reasons for the decision

The Fenland Flood Risk
Sequential Test Methodology was approved by Planning Committee in
February 2018. This document is not a Supplementary Planning
Document or a piece of technical evidence as such there has been no
formal engagement undertaken on this document – meaning that
it currently has very limited weight in decision
making. 
 
Since the document was
approved, there have been a number of
changes to national planning policy and technical evidence/insights
in relation to flood risk and water management/ movement across the
district. These changes mean that the
methodology document is now deemed to be out of date and as such
should be removed as material consideration.
 
Officers have recommended that
the document is not replaced or updated as the guidance set out
regarding the sequential test at a national level provides a clear
position for local decision making.
 

Alternative options considered

A do-nothing option was
considered but deemed to be inappropriate as retaining out of date
documents on our website is unhelpful to developers, site promoters
and decision makers.