EA Flood Map for Planning Updated March 2025: What Changed?

What Changed on 25 March 2025?

On 25 March 2025, the Environment Agency updated the Flood Map for Planning service to display updated flood zones using new National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA) data. This was one of the most significant updates to EA flood mapping in years.

Key changes included:

• Updated flood zone extents based on new NaFRA modelling data
• New surface water flood risk information added to the planning map
• Climate change flood risk information showing how flood extents may change in future scenarios
• More detailed and accurate flood zone boundaries in many areas, particularly where new hydraulic modelling had been completed

What Does This Mean for Planning Applications?

If your site's flood zone classification has changed, this could affect whether an FRA is now required for your planning application, or could change the scope of an existing FRA. In particular:

• Sites that moved from FZ1 to FZ2 or FZ3 will now require an FRA and possibly a Sequential Test
• Existing FRAs prepared before March 2025 may need to be reviewed against the updated flood zone data
• Development proposals near flood zone boundaries should be rechecked using the updated map
• The new surface water risk layer may trigger additional requirements from some LPAs in areas with elevated surface water risk

Do I Need to Update My Existing FRA?

Not necessarily — it depends on whether your site's flood zone classification has changed and whether your LPA is aware of the updated data. If you have an FRA prepared before March 2025 and your planning application is still live, we recommend checking the updated map to confirm your site's flood zone has not changed.

Contact us for a free flood zone check and advice on whether your existing FRA needs to be updated.

Need a flood risk or drainage consultant? We provide planning-ready FRAs and SuDS drainage strategies across England and Wales.