OPW: Office of Public Works
Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí
Guidelines on the Planning System and Flood Risk Management
Inappropriate development can create or increase flood risk in a number of ways. Development in floodplains can:
- Be at risk itself
- Increase flood risk downstream through loss of floodplain storage, or acceleration of flows through the area in question, and,
- Increase flood risk upstream through constriction of flow paths in the floodplain or river channel.
Development anywhere can also increase flood risks by accelerating runoff and increasing runoff volumes through the paving over of previously permeable surfaces.
The Report of the Flood Policy Review Group highlighted the need to proactively manage flood risk. A particular emphasis was placed on the need to avoid or minimise potential future increases in risk. The Report recognised that planning and development management should be a key component of the strategy for achieving this objective, and set out a specific recommendation that guidelines on the consideration of flood risk in planning and development management should be developed.
In accordance with this recommendation, the OPW, in partnership with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, commenced a project in 2006 to prepare such guidelines. After careful consideration of the issues, advice from international experts, and public and targeted consultation, Guidelines for Planning Authorities were published in draft format for public consultation under Section 28 of the Planning Act, 2000, in September 2008.
Further information on the application of the Guidelines, useful information and support available from the OPW to Regional and Local Authorities are available through the following links:
What is a Flood Risk Assessment?
Useful Information for Flood Risk Assessments
Standard Specifications for Flood Risk Assessments and Reviews
Standard Specifications for Flood Risk Assessments and Reviews
The OPW have commissioned a wide range of Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs) and Flood Risk Assessment and Management (FRAM) Studies in the past. These types of study would be similar in nature to those that might be required for Screening, Scoping or Appropriate FRAs. Based on this experience, a suite of ‘standard specifications’ are currently being prepared by the OPW that might be used for reference in assessing the requirements of the different types of FRA, and as the basis for a specification for commissioning appropriately qualified consultants to undertake an FRA, or to review and FRA accompanying a planning application.
It is anticipated that these standard specifications will be made available through this web-page over the coming weeks as they are prepared.
The OPW will be able to provide support to the planning authorities with respect to implementation of the Guidelines, and in particular undertaking the various stages of the Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs) in the following ways:
Flood Map Information:
The OPW is in the process of developing detailed flood maps that might be used for defining Flood Zones through the Flood Risk Assessment and Management (FRAM) Studies Flood maps are in the final stages of preparation for the pilot studies in the Lee and Dodder Catchments, while such maps for many other towns will be prepared in stages up to 2012.
The OPW has collated information on over 5,000 historic flood events, and made these available through the national flood mapping website .
A research project is currently underway to develop maps with national coverage indicting areas that might be prone to flooding from rivers and streams. Preliminary results show promise, but further work is underway to refine the method and outputs, which, if successful, may enable this information to be made available in 2009.
The OPW is in the process of developing detailed flood maps that might be used for defining Flood Zones through the Flood Risk Assessment and Management (FRAM) Studies Flood maps are in the final stages of preparation for the pilot studies in the Lee and Dodder Catchments, while such maps for many other towns will be prepared in stages up to 2012.
The OPW has collated information on over 5,000 historic flood events, and made these available through the national flood mapping website .
A research project is currently underway to develop maps with national coverage indicting areas that might be prone to flooding from rivers and streams. Preliminary results show promise, but further work is underway to refine the method and outputs, which, if successful, may enable this information to be made available in 2009.
Advice to Planning Authorities:
The OPW will be available to meet with officials from the planning authorities at a very early stage of the review and preparation of planning strategies or plans, to discuss flood risk issues within the area relevant to the strategy or plan, and the appropriate methods for assessing and managing flood risk in such areas.
Where a planning authority considers it necessary to undertake a FRA, in accordance with the Guidelines, the OPW will be available to provide advice on the specification appropriate for the FRA, meet at an early stage of the implementation of the FRA to discuss requirements and approach, and to review outcomes of the FRA.
The OPW will be available to provide ad-hoc advice to planning authorities on general queries concerning spatial plan
Planning Applications and Development Management:
Due to resource limitations, the OPW is not able to provide support to planning authorities with respect to planning applications and the development management process, beyond the provision of flood information, and assistance in spatial planning to help reduce the number of applications where flooding might be an issue.