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

4.16 The sequential approach outlined in the previous chapter is to be applied atall levels of plan making. In exceptional circumstances, where it is intendedto zone land in a flood risk area for development, which includes types ofdevelopment that would be inappropriate as defined herein, this decision,and the basis on which it is made, needs to be supported using the JustificationTest and the SEA.Incorporating flooding into the development plan strategy4.17 Development plans should draw upon national and regional level policiesrelating to flooding in setting out high-level policies and objectives, includingany cross-boundary issues identified from the screening stage.4.18 The nature of the plan area and the level of flood risk will determine whetheror not flooding will influence the core strategy of the plan. Where it is significant,it should influence the overall spatial strategy such as where to locate newhousing, commercial and other developments.Policies relating to flooding4.19 More detailed flood-related policies and objectives of development plansshould give effect to the overall strategic context for, and outlook of, the plan.Development plans should therefore be internally consistent and informedby the sequential approach and methodology outlined in the previous chapterof these guidelines and any principles or matters identified in RPGs.4.20 The plan should be pro-active by including, for example, general policiesneeded for protecting, improving or restoring floodplains or the coastal margins.Planning authorities should consider whether there are areas where a floodrisk management function can be restored through appropriate actions, suchas managed re-alignment of existing coastal defences or river restorationprojects and provision of flood storage. As well as restoring the flood riskmanagement function, these may provide opportunities to introduce green/openspace within congested urban areas, with consequent benefits to amenity andbiodiversity as well as helping to reduce the future impact of climate change.Objectives for flood risk management4.21 Objectives for flood risk management should be based on the broader planpolicies but should be more detailed and place-specific in nature. They shouldhave regard to the relevant flood risk management plans that cover thedevelopment plan area. Development plan objectives may:• Identify zones of flood hazard and ensure application of the sequentialapproach in a transparent manner;• Identify areas such as floodplains which are to be protected for reasonsof flood risk management and/or related functions such as biodiversityprotection;31Planning Guidelines