| 1. | Paragraph 164 of the National Planning Policy Framework outlines the exemption test which states that a site-specific flood risk assessment should demonstrate that the development will be safe for its lifetime taking account of the vulnerability of its users, without increasing flood risk elsewhere, and, where possible, will reduce flood risk overall. The application proposes a more vulnerable use located within Flood Zone 3a and the Flood Risk Assessment does not demonstrate that the site will be safe for its lifetime. In addition to this, the proposed flood risk mitigation measures are not sufficient; as such, the proposal would provide an unacceptable risk to the health and safety of the occupants. The proposed dwelling would flood internally by 1.59 m depth in the 0.5% (1 in 200) annual probability with climate change flood event and would therefore be unsafe for the occupants. Furthermore, it has not been demonstrated that a safe route of access and egress can be achieved in accordance with FD2320, up to the 0.5% (1 in 200) annual probability with climate change flood event, leading to an unacceptable risk to the health and safety of the occupants and rescuers in an extreme flood event. Therefore, the proposal fails the exemption test and does not comply with Core Policy CS13 from the adopted Core Strategy nor with paragraphs 164 and 165 of the National Planning Policy Framework. |
