1. The Sheffield Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) was completed in
July 2008. The Level 1 SFRA is used to inform the application of the Sequential Test
by the Council. The Sequential Test considers the risk posed by flooding across the
district, and balances this against other (non-flooding related) planning constraints,
seeking to steer development towards areas of lowest flood risk.
2. Potential development sites that are situated wholly or partially within Flood Zones 2
or 3 must be considered further to ensure that the requirements of the Exception
Test can be passed. To pass the Exception Test, the following criteria must be
satisfied:
The primary objective of this Level 2 SFRA is to ensure that the risk of
flooding can be realistically mitigated through the design process,
addressing this final criteria of the Exception Test. The hazard posed to property
and life within each potential development site has been reviewed in light of the
Level 1 SFRA findings and recommendations.
3. This Level 2 document builds upon the findings of the Level 1 SFRA, and will also
form part of the evidence base for the Sheffield Level Development Framework
(LDF). This assessment considers the area of Nursery Street and The Wicker,
situated on the left (north) bank of the River Don.
Adopted Methodology
1. As outlined in Section Error! Reference source not found. of the Level 1 SFRA, the
speed and depth with which rivers flood into developed areas of the district is an
important consideration. Deep, fast flowing water may potentially pose risk to life. This
must be considered when planning future development.
2. A two dimensional TuFLOW model has been prepared to assess the extent, depth and
speed of floodwaters once overtopping occurs from the River Don. The design flow
regime, and the hydraulic characteristics of the main river channel, has been adopted
from the existing Environment Agency ISIS model of the River Don.
3. To assess the risk that the floodwaters pose to life, an assessment of flood hazard has
been carried out using the adopted 2D model. The ‘hazard’ posed by flooding is
2
determined as a product of the depth and the speed of the flow , and assessed in
accordance with Defra guidance ‘Flood Risk to People (FD2321). The hazard
categories adopted for SFRA purposes are outlined below:
- " . / 0 1 2 34
" # !$ % #$
& ' () " " " * + ! "
9. It is essential that any future development within this area considers the potential risk
to life as a result of flooding, and mitigates this through the design process. More
vulnerable land uses should not be permitted at ground level, and measures to ensure
that buildings are resilient to flooding should be incorporated. This reach of the River
Don is situated within an Environment Agency flood warning area, and tenants of the
site should be encouraged to sign up to this service.
10. The provision of safe evacuation routes from development within this area is
imperative, and tenants must not be directed towards The Wicker, Saville Street or
Attercliffe Road. Sites to the south of Saville Street and The Wicker are riverfront, and
safe access may be difficult to achieve. For this reason, high level walkways to
properties (and higher ground) on the opposite side of the road may be required.
11. It is recommended that consideration is given to avoiding development in the low lying
sites to the south and north of The Wicker and Saville Street respectively. Flood
depths in excess of 1m will pose a potential danger and it will be difficult to develop
effective design measures to mitigate against such a depth of water. Land raising may
be assist, however it will be necessary to ensure that compensatory floodplain storage
is made available within close proximity of the site to reduce the potential impacts that
this will have in adjoining areas.
5 + # ' "/ %