Flood Risk Assessments in Norfolk

The Norfolk Broads are fed by the Rivers Bure, Yare, Waveney and their tributaries. The Broads river system is largely tidal below Norwich, with tidal influence extending up the Yare to Trowse and up the Bure past Wroxham. The embanked rivers of the Broads system are maintained above the level of the surrounding land – the low-lying moors and marshes drain by pumping into embanked watercourses that are higher than the surrounding landscape. A failure of embankment or pumping station in this system can cause rapid and extensive flooding of low-lying land. Dry islands – areas of higher ground surrounded by flood risk land – are a specific planning concept in Norfolk that the SFRA addresses explicitly.

The North Norfolk coast from Hunstanton to Cromer is one of England’s most rapidly changing coastlines, with documented cliff erosion and coastal flood risk from North Sea storm surges. The 2013 East Coast Tidal Surge caused significant coastal flooding across Norfolk’s north and east coasts, overtopping defences at several locations. Sea level rise projections for the North Sea are significant for the planning lifetime of new development, and coastal FRAs for sites in North Norfolk, Great Yarmouth and the Wash coastline must engage with EA coastal flood boundary data and the relevant Shoreline Management Plans.

Internal Drainage Boards maintain an extensive network of drains across the lowland parts of Norfolk. The Water Management Alliance covers five Norfolk IDBs. Development near IDB-managed drains requires specific IDB consultation, and FRAs must address IDB watercourse risk as a distinct flood source. Groundwater flooding from the chalk geology affects central Norfolk including the chalk valleys of the Wensum, Nar and Wissey, and is a material planning consideration for some sites away from the main river floodplains.

• Development in Flood Zone 2 or 3 along the Yare, Wensum, Bure, Waveney, Nar, Wissey or any tributary
• Development in the Broads Executive Area requiring engagement with the Broads Authority SFRA
• Development near IDB-managed drains requiring IDB consultation across the Norfolk lowlands
• Coastal development on the North Norfolk coast or at Great Yarmouth where tidal surge and sea level rise risk applies
• Development of 1 hectare or more in Flood Zone 1
• Development where groundwater flooding from chalk geology is a material planning consideration

We understand Norfolk’s IDB drainage network, the Broads Authority’s planning role and SFRA requirements, the North Norfolk coastal flood risk picture and the groundwater flooding from the chalk geology. These are specialist planning knowledge areas that require local understanding.

We are familiar with the South Norfolk SFRA 2024, the Greater Norwich Level 2 SFRA and the Broads Authority’s SFRA. Our FRAs engage with EA Wensum, Yare and Bure model data directly.

We cover all Norfolk districts and unitary authorities: Norwich City, South Norfolk, Broadland, North Norfolk, Breckland, King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, and Great Yarmouth Borough.