The Guidelines for Planning Authorities on 'The Planning System and Flood Risk Management' was published in November 2009. The guidelines represent a major step forward in the implementation of the new national flood policy, and put in place a framework for the effective consideration of flood risk within the planning process to promote sustainable development and the management of existing and, in particular, potential future, flood risk.

The guidelines require the assessment of flood hazard and potential risk at an early stage, through a staged process of Flood Risk Assessment, to inform decision-making within the planning process, and the application of the precautionary approach to avoid creating risk through uncertainty or an initial absence of information.

AWN Consulting can provide advice to clients on the nature of these guidelines and the consequences for proposed and existing developments.