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Site specific Flood Risk Assessment (FRA)

Last updated October 29, 2026.

Local validation checklist code A5

  1. When you'll need to provide this
  2. What you'll need to include
  3. Why we need it

When you'll need to provide this

You must include this if you're submitting your planning application to either Swale or Maidstone borough councils.

For applications submitted to either Swale or Maidstone borough councils

These requirements apply to applications sumittted to either Swale or Maidstone borough councils.

All development (including minor development and changes of use) proposed:

  • In flood zones 2, 3 or 3b.
  • Within flood zone 1 with a site area of 1 hectare or more.
  • In areas with critical drainage problems.
  • Within flood zone 1 where the Local Planning Authority’s (LPA) strategic flood risk assessment (SFRA) shows it will be at increased risk of flooding during its lifetime.

That increases the vulnerability classification and may be subject to sources of flooding other than rivers or sea.

Typical proposals

The site specific flood risk assessment (fra) planning application requirement is typically needed when you're proposing to do any of the following:

Home extension or alteration; New house; New housing development; Converting a building into homes; HMO; Change of use; Commercial development; Retail, restaurant or takeaway; Industrial or warehouse development; Development near the coast

What you'll need to provide

What you'll need to include in your application

For applications submitted to either Swale or Maidstone borough councils

  • Site-specific Flood Risk Assessment.

  • A Sequential Assessment (to allow the LPA to do a sequential test) should be provided for relevant development (as defined in the NPPF and NPPG on flooding in Flood Zones 2 and 3). and

  • If required, an Exception Test.
  • The Flood Risk Assessment, Sequential Assessment Exception Test will only be acceptable if they have been updated in the 12 months before planning application submission.

Why we need you to provide this

Why we need you to include this in your application.

For applications submitted to either Swale or Maidstone borough councils

The FRA should identify and assess the risks of all forms of flooding to and from the development and demonstrate how these flood risks will be managed, taking climate change into account. The FRA should identify opportunities to reduce the probability and consequences of flooding. The FRA should include the design of surface water management systems including Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDs) and address the requirement for safe access to and from the development in areas at risk of flooding. The FRA should be prepared by an applicant in consultation with the LPA with reference to their published local development documents and any Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.

The FRA should include a Sequential Assessment, where required as set out in Section 14 of the NPPF and the NPPG (Flood risk and coastal change - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk))

Section 18 and Annex F of the National Planning Policy Framework2026 National_Planning_Policy_Framework.pdf and the National Planning Practice Guidance provide guidance for both local planning authorities and applicants in relation to the undertaking of FRAs and the responsibilities for controlling development where it may be directly affected by flooding or affect flooding elsewhere. Please also refer to National Planning Practice Guidance (Flood risk and coastal change) at http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk