Stambridge Mills lies within Flood Zone 3a and is justified on the basis that this is sequentially preferable to green field sites which lie within Flood Zones 1 and 2, on the basis that PPG2 sets out that development is inappropriate in the green belt.

However, paragraph D5 of PPS25 sets out that:

"Only where there are no reasonably available sites in Flood Zones 1 or 2 should decision-makers consider the suitability of sites in Flood Zone 3..."
There are clearly other sites available in Flood Zones 1 and 2 and these should be considered sequentially preferable.

On its own, Stambridge Mills is divorced from Rochford and would represent an isolated development.