The new TAN 15 is accompanied by the Flood Map for Planning, which builds on the Flood Risk Assessment Wales map and includes allowances for climate change. The 2004 version of TAN 15 and Development Advice Map does not include climate change allowances.
A set of maps was published in September that show the current flood risk levels and coastal erosion maps as well as the risk posed by climate change. These are to be used to direct development away from these areas of risk.
Robert Evans, Associate Director with Development Land at Cooke & Arkwright said, “Although the suspension of implementation will provide short term relief and allow flood maps to be reviewed, there is still the worry about how contentious applications may be managed in the interim. Further guidance is expected from the Chief Planner Deputy Director of Water, Flood and Coal Tip Safety.”
Julie James, Minister for Climate Change, has written to all Local Authority Chief Executives and Local Planning Authority Heads of Planning outlining the suspension. She says it will provide authorities time to develop a more detailed understanding of the consequences of flooding, and she requires every local planning authority to complete work to review, within the next 12 months, the Strategic Flood Consequences Assessments (SFCAs) for their areas.
She said that there will be no further extension to the coming into force date beyond June 2023