Flood Map for Planning datasets

Created: 25 March 2025 Updated: 27 August 2025

On 25 March 2025 we published data relating to new and updated flood risk data for development planning on the Flood Map for Planning (FMfP) digital service. This includes: 

• New and updated Flood Zones 

• Datasets indicating the possible effects of climate change on future flood risk extents 

• Present day ‘Risk of flooding from surface water’ extents 

On 27 August 2025 we added a layer called ‘Flood Zones plus climate change’ to the Flood Map for Planning service. It shows how the combined extent of Flood Zones 2 and 3 could increase with climate change over the next century. This new layer replaces the present day and climate change rivers/sea with/without defences layers which were added to the service in March 2025. The removed layers remain available on the DSP, however the dataset names have been updated. 

In some locations, ‘Flood Zones plus climate change’ information is not available. When we updated the Flood Map for Planning in March, we retained our existing Flood Zone information in some locations while we make improvements to our new data. We will not have ‘Flood Zones plus climate change’ information in these locations until the improvements have been made. 

For a full list of datasets we have published, see the related announcement ‘Detailed data list’.  

The Detailed data list describes which datasets include allowances for the possible effects of climate change. We have used allowances consistent with those required for most common development types as set out in Flood risk assessment: climate change allowances. Some developments may still need to undertake further assessment to consider climate change scenarios or time periods in addition to those shown on the Flood Map for Planning. 

Customers can use the new Flood Map for Planning service to request flood risk assessment information that the Environment Agency holds. This includes flood products described at Flood risk assessments: applying for planning permission - GOV.UK.  Further supporting information can also be found at https://www.tcpa.org.uk/resources/new-national-flood-and-coastal-erosion-risk-information/.