What is Flood Risk Assessment?
A flood risk assessment supports a planning application to provide a detailed analysis of flood risks to your property or planned development, along with comprehensive advice on how to mitigate that risk, protect yourself for the future, and ensure the risk is not exacerbated for others.
When is a Flood Risk Assessment required?
If you are planning a development in a flood zone, national policies require that a flood risk assessment is performed.
This includes developments
- in flood zone 2 or 3 including minor development and change of use
- more than 1 hectare (ha) in flood zone 1
- less than 1 ha in flood zone 1, including a change of use in development type to a more vulnerable class (for example from commercial to residential), where they could be affected by sources of flooding other than rivers and the sea (for example surface water drains, reservoirs)
- in an area within flood zone 1 which has critical drainage problems as notified by the Environment Agency
Why is a Flood Risk Assessment necessary?
Flood risk assessments demonstrate that any risk to a proposed development is acceptable and that the risk to any surrounding areas is not increased as a result of the development.
What is a Flood Zone?
Flood zones are designed to inform how likely an area is to flood.
What is a Sequential Test?
Sequential tests are designed to offer a direct comparison between a proposed development site and other available sites to determine the lowest possible flood risk.
What is the Exception Test?
The exception test is designed to show how you would manage flood risks on a proposed development site, and must demonstrate that the community will benefit from the development’s sustainability more than it will be at risk of flooding.
How long does a Flood Risk Assessment take to prepare?
We always aim to move as quickly as possible with our flood risk assessments, which is why we offer same-day quotes, site reviews within 48 hours and full reports roughly 25 working days later. If your site is in Flood Zone 1, an expedited service can be offered.
Where does Flood Risk Data come from?
Through initial scoping of a proposed development, we look at all aspects of the site and its risk of flooding, including location, the topography of the land and underlying geology.
