Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what the legal requirements are for including surface water flooding risks in solar farm applications.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is clear that all sources of flood risk, now and in the future, need to be considered in planning applications, including the risk of surface water flooding. This is to ensure that new development is safe for its lifetime without increasing the risk of flooding elsewhere.

Where appropriate, for example if the application is classed as major development, applications should be supported by a site-specific flood-risk assessment and sustainable drainage strategy. Lead Local Flood Authorities must be consulted on surface water drainage considerations in applications for such developments. The Environment Agency are a statutory consultee on planning applications in any area which has been notified to the local planning authority by the Agency as having critical drainage problems.