Where flood risk applies in the East Riding
The council's Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (approved November 2019) sets out the scale and sources of flood risk:
- Among the highest risk in EnglandThe Environment Agency's 2009 national assessment ranked the East Riding in the top ten areas in England for the number of homes at risk of river and sea flooding, because of its low-lying land and its rivers and estuary.
- The Humber EstuaryTidal flooding from the Humber is a major source of risk. The council's flood risk strategy found up to 20% of homes and 23% of commercial properties at risk on the national tidal flood maps.
- The River Hull and the western riversThe SFRA names the Rivers Hull, Derwent, Ouse, Aire and Trent as sources of river flooding. Detailed Level 2 assessments have been prepared for Goole and Hedon, two of the higher-risk areas.
- Surface waterThe council's strategy found up to 11% of homes and 22% of commercial properties at risk from surface water, alongside critical services and infrastructure.
What East Riding of Yorkshire Council will look for
East Riding of Yorkshire Council applies the national tests in NPPF Chapter 18 and the Planning Practice Guidance, supported by its Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. A Sequential Test submitted with a East Riding of Yorkshire application should normally:
- Confirm the flood zone and vulnerabilityUse the current Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning and the NPPF Annex F vulnerability class for the proposed use.
- Justify the area of searchNational policy says the area of search should reflect the catchment for the type of development and the need it serves. The East Riding is a large, largely rural council area with more than 300 settlements, so a whole-council search is rarely the catchment of a housing scheme: a narrower area matching the town, village or sub-area the scheme serves is usually more defensible.
- Assess the council's own sources of sitesthe East Riding Local Plan Update allocations (adopted April 2025), the Housing Land Supply Position Statement 2025 and the Brownfield Land Register are the obvious places to start, and omitting them is a common reason for challenge.
- Evidence every discounted siteWhere an alternative is ruled out as unsuitable, too small or not available in a similar timeframe, give the reason and the evidence. Ownership alone is not enough.
- Screen for the Exception TestState whether the Exception Test applies under Annex F Table 3, and if it does, provide it, drawing on the site-specific flood risk assessment.
East Riding of Yorkshire-specific pitfalls
- The council's own guidanceEast Riding of Yorkshire Council has adopted a Supplementary Planning Document on the flood risk Sequential and Exception Tests. Check your test follows it as well as national policy.
- Availability of allocationsThe council publishes per-site deliverability only for the sites in its five-year housing land supply. Other Local Plan Update allocations may be available but have no published evidence: our reports identify them so you can confirm their status with the council.
- Climate changeIn parts of the area the Environment Agency has not yet published climate change flood extents. There the present-day flood zone applies as the best available information, and our reports name any affected sites.
- A large rural areaWith more than 300 settlements, the area of search for most housing schemes should match the town or village served rather than the whole council area.
Fixed-fee Sequential Tests for East Riding of Yorkshire
We have built our East Riding of Yorkshire Sequential Test on published Environment Agency and East Riding of Yorkshire Council data. Plot your site on our East Riding of Yorkshire Sequential Test page and we'll deliver a submission-ready report within 24 hours of payment for £300. Exception Tests are £450 within 48 hours.
New to the subject? Start with our general guide: what is a flood risk Sequential Test? We also cover other council areas at the same fixed fee.
Source: East Riding of Yorkshire Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, Level 1 (approved November 2019).
Sequential Test guides for other council areas
York · Hull · Bristol · Manchester · Birmingham · Chelmsford · Gateshead · Tameside · Runnymede · Wigan · Spelthorne · Oxford · Plymouth · Lichfield · Dover · Medway · Lewes District · Northumberland
Frequently asked questions
Does East Riding of Yorkshire Council require a Sequential Test?
Yes, for most development in Flood Zones 2 and 3, in line with national policy. Some minor development and most changes of use are exempt, and sites allocated in the local plan may not need the test repeated.
What area of search should I use in East Riding of Yorkshire?
National policy says the area of search should reflect the catchment for the type of development and the need it serves. The East Riding is a large, largely rural council area with more than 300 settlements, so a whole-council search is rarely the catchment of a housing scheme: a narrower area matching the town, village or sub-area the scheme serves is usually more defensible. The reason must be explained in the report.
Do flood defences mean I don't need a Sequential Test?
No. Flood zones for the Sequential Test are assessed without defences. Defences are taken into account in the site-specific flood risk assessment and the Exception Test, not the Sequential Test.
How much does a Sequential Test cost in East Riding of Yorkshire?
Our fixed fee for a East Riding of Yorkshire flood risk Sequential Test or alternatives assessment is £300, delivered within 24 hours of payment. An Exception Test is £450, delivered within 48 hours.
This guide is general information for applications in England and is not advice on your specific project. Requirements differ in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and every council publishes its own local validation list, so always check the detail with your local planning authority.