East Sussex Lead Local Flood Authority

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The Flood Risk Management team undertake the role of the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) for East Sussex under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

As the LLFA the Flood Risk Management team has several key duties and responsibilities, including:

  • Managing local flood risk focussing on surface water, groundwater, and ordinary watercourses (small rivers, ditches and streams).
  • Developing and monitoring a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.
  • Investigating significant flood events (known as section 19 investigations).
  • Maintaining a flood risk asset register.
  • Regulating ordinary watercourses, including determining applications for ordinary watercourse consent.
  • Promoting sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) by commenting on major planning applications.
  • Promoting flood resilience across the region by supporting the creation and commenting on Local Plans.
  • Working and co-ordinating with other flood risk management authorities, such as the Environment Agency, East Sussex Highways, internal drainage boards, and Southern Water to help manage flood risk in East Sussex.

Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

The Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) is guided by the Environment Agency’s National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England. The Strategy was published in 2016 and runs until the end of 2026, it covers several points on flood risk in East Sussex, including:

  • An assessment of local flood risk for East Sussex.
  • The measures being taken to manage this flood risk.
  • The other flood risk management authorities and their roles and responsibilities.

2016 - 2026 East Sussex Local Flood Risk Management Strategy [2.2 MB] [pdf]

  2016 - 2026 East Sussex Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Technical Appendices [6.4 MB] [pdf]

A new Strategy is currently being developed in consultation with other risk management authorities. A public consultation on the draft strategy is expected before the end of 2026.

To receive a notification of when the public consultation begins please contact FRM@eastsussex.gov.uk . 

Formal Flood Investigations (Section 19 Investigations)

When a significant flood event occurs, the team will conduct a formal flood investigation, also known as a Section 19 Investigation.

These investigations will, wherever possible, include:

  • A summary of the flood event.
  • What likely caused the flooding to occur.
  • The roles and responsibilities of each of the risk management authorities involved.
  • Actions taken during and after the flood event.
  • Recommendations to prevent future flood events.

Once the investigation has concluded, we will publish a report that is publicly available. Previous formal flood investigations are available to download below. If you require these investigations in an alternative format, please contact FRM@eastsussex.gov.uk .

Flood Risk Asset Register

As a Lead Local Flood Authority, we are required to maintain a register of structures or features across the county which we consider having a significant effect (positive or negative) on flood risk.

The register includes a wide range of features including culverts, weirs and bridges. Assets recorded on other authority/ company asset registers, such as flood defences managed by the Environment Agency do not appear on this register. Individuals interested in obtaining details of all assets should, in addition to the LLFA’s register, review other risk management authority’s registers.

Please be aware that inclusion of an asset on this register does not result in the LLFA becoming responsible for the maintenance and management of an asset. Responsibility for an asset on the register likely remains with either the landowner or the authority/ company which adopted the asset.

The asset register is a live document and updated periodically by the Flood Risk Management Team. To request a copy of the most up to date register please contact the team at FRM@eastsussex.gov.uk .

Surface Water Management Plans

Surface Water Management Plans (SWMPs) are strategic documents designed to allow risk management authorities to assess, understand and manage flood risk from heavy rain, including surface water runoff and the impact on groundwater.

These are produced in collaboration with other authorities, including the districts and boroughs, internal drainage boards, and sewerage companies.

They aim to identify local flood risk issues, what options there may be to reduce those risks, and who should be taking these options forward. This is all presented in an action plan that the involved authorities agree on.

Each of the SWMPs for East Sussex are available to download below. If you require these investigations in an alternative format, please contact FRM@eastsussex.gov.uk .

Peacehaven, Newhaven and Seaford

Due to file sizes the Peacehaven, Newhaven and Seaford SWMP Appendices B and D are available on request, please contact us at FRM@eastsussex.gov.uk  .

Forest Row

Due to file sizes the Forest Row SWMP Appendix B is available on request, please contact us at FRM@eastsussex.gov.uk  .

Crowborough

Due to file sizes the Crowborough SWMP Appendix B is available on request, please contact us at FRM@eastsussex.gov.uk  .

Heathfield

Due to file sizes the Heathfield SWMP Appendix B is available on request, please contact us at FRM@eastsussex.gov.uk  .

Hailsham and Hellingly

Due to file sizes the Hailsham and Hellingly SWMP Appendix B is available on request, please contact us at FRM@eastsussex.gov.uk  .

Hastings

Rye

Due to file sizes the Rye SWMP Appendix B is available on request, please contact us at FRM@eastsussex.gov.uk  .

Battle

Due to file sizes the Battle SWMP Appendix B is available on request, please contact us at FRM@eastsussex.gov.uk  .

Eastbourne

Bexhill

Lewes

Uckfield

Blue Heart and SuDS for Schools Initiatives

Blue Heart is one (1) of 25 projects in the Flood and Coastal Risk Innovation Programme (FCRIP), funded by the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

The Blue Heart project, based in Eastbourne and southern Wealden, started in 2021 and will conclude in 2027. The primary objective of Blue Heart is to mitigate the impact of flooding caused by climate change using technology to manage and monitor water levels in Eastbourne and south Wealden.

Blue Heart is also working with schools and community groups to raise awareness of flooding and climate change, and to help these communities become resilient to the impacts of climate change.

- What is Blue Heart?

Watch on YouTube: "What is Blue Heart?"

SuDS for Schools

The SuDS for Schools Initiative is an ongoing project, kick started by the Blue Heart project, that works with primary and secondary schools across East Sussex to help teach pupils about flood risk and sustainable drainage. It also works with schools to design and build bespoke small scale sustainable drainage systems which can help better manage rainwater, helping to reducing flood risk within the school and their local community.

You can read more about the SuDS for Schools Initiative here: SuDS for Schools - Blue Heart.

Flood Risk Management team contact

Please contact the flood risk management team if you have any questions regarding:

  • Planning consultations for flood risk and drainage for major planning applications.
  • Countywide flood risk management strategy.
  • Ordinary watercourse consenting.
  • Investigations into potential breaches of the Land Drainage Act 1991 (blocked watercourses).
  • Large scale flood event investigations (Section 19 investigations).

Contact

Telephone: 01273 481 421 (Mon - Fri 9am - 4pm)



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