The Planning System and Flood Risk Management - Offaly County ...

20more than 1 in 200). Development in this zone should be avoided and/oronly considered in exceptional circumstances (through the JustificationTest) if adequate land or sites are not available in Zones B or C below.Most types of development would be considered inappropriate in thiszone. Only water-compatible development, such as docks and marinas,dockside activities that require a waterside location, amenity open space,outdoor sports and recreation and essential transport infrastructure thatcannot be located elsewhere, would be considered appropriate in thiszone.Planning Guidelines• Zone B - Moderate probability of flooding. This zone defines areaswith a moderate risk of flooding from rivers (i.e. 0.1% to 1% probabilityor between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000) and the coast (i.e. 0.1% to 0.5%probability or between 1 in 200 and 1 in 1000). Development shouldonly be considered in this zone if adequate land or sites are not availablein Zone C or if development in this zone would pass the JustificationTest. Highly vulnerable development, such as hospitals, residential carehomes, Garda, fire and ambulance stations, dwelling houses and primarystrategic transport and utilities infrastructure, would be consideredinappropriate in this zone. Less vulnerable development, such as retail,commercial and industrial uses, sites used for short-let for caravans andcamping and secondary strategic transport and utilities infrastructure,and water-compatible development might be considered appropriatein this zone.• Zone C - Low probability of flooding. This zone defines areas with alow risk of flooding from rivers and the coast (i.e. less than 0.1%probability or less than 1 in 1000). Development in this zone is appropriatefrom a flooding perspective (subject to assessment of flood hazard fromsources other than rivers and the coast) but would need to meet thenormal range of other proper planning and sustainable developmentconsiderations.Fig. 3: Flood Zone Risk Mapping(see practical application of this in Appendix B)