Approach to flood risk

Introduction to flood risk

Having developed at the confluence of two rivers (the Tame and the Anker) a significant amount of the borough is within the floodplain and the town has historically been affected by flooding, most recently in 2007. Areas at risk of flooding today are likely to become at increased risk in the future and the frequency of flooding will also likely increase due to climate change. All of this makes flooding a key issue for Tamworth over the life of the local plan.

National planning policy is clear that new development should be kept as safe as possible from flooding, by directing it to the lowest‑risk areas first and only considering higher‑risk areas if there is no realistic alternative. To help direct where new development will go between now and 2043, a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment is being carried out. This evidence will help to inform decisions on what goes into the new plan as well as looking to identify opportunities to reduce the causes and impacts of flooding.