Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for the Isles of Scilly Local Plan

The Council of the Isles of Scilly, the UK's smallest unitary authority located 28 miles off Cornwall's southwest coast, is seeking a qualified consultancy to undertake a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) to support its Local Plan Review. The assessment will evaluate flood risks across the archipelago of five inhabited islands with approximately 2,200 residents, considering tidal, surface water, groundwater, and climate change impacts. The SFRA will provide evidence-based guidance on flood risk management policies, sustainable development, and climate resilience to ensure the Local Plan complies with legal requirements and promotes safe development. Deliverables include a Level 1 SFRA covering the entire planning authority area, spatial GIS mapping of flood risk zones, recommendations for mitigation and adaptation strategies, guidance on applying the Sequential and Exception Tests, and stakeholder engagement with the Environment Agency and local infrastructure providers. This work is critical for a sensitive coastal environment with high ecological value, significant seasonal tourism, and unique vulnerability to climate change impacts.