Preliminary flood risk assessment

This document produced by Stockton on Tees Borough Council reports the research carried out towards the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA). The PFRA is a high level risk assessment of flooding in the Borough of Stockton. Stockton does not have any 'significant' flood risk areas as defined by the legislation, however all authorities are required to produce a Preliminary Assessment Report.

There are two new pieces of legislation; Flood Risk Regulations which came into force on 10th December 2009 and the Flood & Water Management Act 2010 (FWMA) which gained Royal assent on the 8th April 2010. These are the main drivers behind the research and preparation of the PFRA report. Under the new legislation Stockton Borough Council has been designated as a Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and has a number of statutory duties and responsibilities to manage flood risk in the Borough.

The Flood Risk Regulations 2009 transpose the requirements of the EC Floods Directive (the Directive) into domestic law in England and Wales. The implementation of the provisions places duties on the Environment Agency (EA) and LLFAs to prepare a number of key documents which are required by the Regulations. Stockton Borough Council is only required to produce a PFRA report. LLFAs that have a significant flood risk area are required to produce the following additional documents;

• Flood Hazard Maps and Flood Risk Maps; and
• Flood Risk Management Plans

The PFRA will form part of Stockton Borough Councils Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. LLFAs are required to prepare the local strategies under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. The local strategy will set out how Stockton Borough Council will manage flood risk across its study area.

Under the Flood Risk Regulations 2009, Stockton Borough Council does not have a significant flood risk area and therefore is only required to produce a PFRA report within the timescale listed in Figure 1.

Figure 1

The PFRA report considers past and potential future flooding within Stockton Borough which has significant harmful consequences for human health, economic activity and the environment. LLFAs are required to consider the following local flood sources for this report:

• surface water
• ground water
• ordinary watercourses
• canals

The Environment Agency are responsible for flooding associated with the sea, main rivers and reservoirs. This report will not consider flooding sources which are the responsibility of the Environment Agency unless it is considered that it may contribute to flooding from one of the local flood sources.