Annex 3: Flood risk vulnerability classification

Information on flood risk vulnerability classification.

Essential infrastructure

Essential transport infrastructure (including mass evacuation routes) which has to cross the area at risk.
Essential utility infrastructure which has to be located in a flood risk area for operational reasons, including infrastructure for electricity supply including generation, storage and distribution systems; including electricity generating power stations, grid and primary substations storage; and water treatment works that need to remain operational in times of flood.
Wind turbines.
Solar farms.

Police and ambulance stations; fire stations and command centres; telecommunications installations required to be operational during flooding.
Emergency dispersal points.
Basement dwellings.
Caravans, mobile homes and park homes intended for permanent residential use.
Installations requiring hazardous substances consent. (Where there is a demonstrable need to locate such installations for bulk storage of materials with port or other similar facilities, or such installations with energy infrastructure or carbon capture and storage installations, that require coastal or water-side locations, or need to be located in other high flood risk areas, in these instances the facilities should be classified as ‘Essential Infrastructure’.)

Hospitals
Residential institutions such as residential care homes, children’s homes, social services homes, prisons and hostels.
Buildings used for dwelling houses, student halls of residence, drinking establishments, nightclubs and hotels.
Non–residential uses for health services, nurseries and educational establishments.
Landfill* and sites used for waste management facilities for hazardous waste.
Sites used for holiday or short-let caravans and camping, subject to a specific warning and evacuation plan.

Police, ambulance and fire stations which are not required to be operational during flooding.
Buildings used for shops; financial, professional and other services; restaurants, cafes and hot food takeaways; offices; general industry, storage and distribution; non-residential institutions not included in the ‘more vulnerable’ class; and assembly and leisure.
Land and buildings used for agriculture and forestry.
Waste treatment (except landfill* and hazardous waste facilities).
Minerals working and processing (except for sand and gravel working).
Water treatment works which do not need to remain operational during times of flood.
Sewage treatment works, if adequate measures to control pollution and manage sewage during flooding events are in place.
Car parks.

Flood control infrastructure.
Water transmission infrastructure and pumping stations.
Sewage transmission infrastructure and pumping stations.
Sand and gravel working.
Docks, marinas and wharves.
Navigation facilities.
Ministry of Defence installations.
Ship building, repairing and dismantling, dockside fish processing and refrigeration and compatible activities requiring a waterside location.
Water-based recreation (excluding sleeping accommodation).
Lifeguard and coastguard stations.
Amenity open space, nature conservation and biodiversity, outdoor sports and recreation and essential facilities such as changing rooms.
Essential ancillary sleeping or residential accommodation for staff required by uses in this category, subject to a specific warning and evacuation plan.