The Environment Agency

The Environment Agency’s role

The Environment Agency can provide you with site-specific pre-application advice.

Combining their expertise with Natural England and the Forestry Commission, the Environment Agency has produced guidance that explains their roles in new developments. Building a Better Environment provides initial information to help you make the most of new developments for people and the environment, and how they can help you through the process. They also signpost technical advice, including consents and permits you may need for your development.

The Environment Agency would like to hear from you if your proposed development site is:

• in flood zones 2 or 3; (unless their Flood Risk Standing Advice applies);
• contains or is near a 'main river';
• is on land affected by contamination; and/or
• handles waste or hazardous substances (including fuels and oils).

The Environment Agency will highlight any issues to you in a free written preliminary opinion. The preliminary opinion will tell you about any issues or limits that may affect the site. It will also list the documents you need to send with your planning application and let you know if you need any extra reports, licences or permissions. As a minimum, they will require a site plan and a brief description of the proposed use.

For sites within Stevenage, please send your enquiry to SPHatfield@environment-agency.gov.uk

Any extra advice that is not included in the preliminary opinion will be charged at £84 per hour. This includes site visits, meetings and reviewing documents before or after planning permission is given. Further details of the service are provided by the Environment Agency

Flood Risk Assessment

Flood Risk Assessments (FRA) will be reviewed for fluvial flood risk by us or the Environment Agency. Additionally, the Lead Local Flood Authority will assess surface water flood risk for major developments.

The Environment Agency will review your Flood Risk Assessment for certain sites in Flood Zone 2 and most sites in Flood Zone 3. Some applications, such as the majority of householder extensions, will fall under the Environment Agency Flood Risk Standing Advice (FRSA) and therefore, may not require a detailed Flood Risk Assessment. Where your proposal is covered by the FRSA, you should consult us directly to discuss our requirements.

Planning permission may not be granted until the Flood Risk Assessment has been approved. See the Site Specific Flood Risk Assessment Checklist and other advice available in the National Planning Practice Guidance

Flood Defence Consents

If you plan to carry out building, demolition or storage work within eight metres of a Main River bank, you will need Flood Defence Consent as well as planning permission. You may also need extra assessments, such as a Water Framework Directive Assessment, depending on how your development could affect the river. We strongly recommend contacting the Environment Agency for advice before carrying out any work near a river or watercourse.

Land contamination

If the land may be contaminated, for example from past factory, farming or fuel storage use, or if your development could create pollution, you must send a Preliminary Risk Assessment (PRA) with your planning application. The Environment Agency may object to your application if a PRA is not included, and it cannot usually be provided later as a planning condition.

Groundwater Protection

Groundwater supplies up to 70% of fresh drinking water for this area. The Environment Agency's Ground Water Protection: Principles and Practice guide explains how developments should be planned to help protect groundwater and reduce the risk of pollution.

Pollution prevention advice and guidance

You will need to refer to the relevant Pollution Prevention Guidance (PPGs) for advice and guidance on how to prevent pollution during the demolition and construction phases of your development.

Water efficiency

The south-east region is a highly stressed area for water resources, with a significant proportion of drinking water supplies being sourced from groundwater. The future impacts of population growth and climate change will place additional pressures on these water resources. Therefore, your development should be designed to include water efficiency measures, such as low-flow taps and shower heads, dual-flush toilets, and water butts in gardens. Ideally, developments should achieve water usage of 110 litres per person per day in line with the government's Technical Standards for Water Efficiency.

Biodiversity and river restoration

If your site includes a river, stream or wet habitat, or is close to one, you should protect and improve these areas where possible. New habitats should be created where suitable.

You should leave a clear strip of land next to rivers and streams where no building work takes place. This is usually at least eight metres wide on each side.

If you are a riparian owner (you own land next to a watercourse), you should help protect and improve it and follow any requirements in line with Thames River Basin Management Plan.

You should also include green infrastructure, such as trees, hedges, ponds and wildflower areas, to support wildlife and improve the environment.