Flood risk and drainage consultancy for architects across England and Wales. Early instruction, RIBA stage guidance, planning FRAs and BREEAM flood risk support.
FPS Environmental works with architects on residential, commercial and mixed-use projects across England and Wales. We provide pre-application flood risk scoping to establish what will be required before design work is committed, site-specific FRAs and drainage strategies for planning applications, and BREEAM flood risk assessments for schemes where sustainability certification is required.
The relationship between flood risk and design is most productive at RIBA Stage 2. At that stage, finished floor levels, site layout, SuDS placement and access arrangements can all be informed by the flood risk analysis. An FRA commissioned at RIBA Stage 4 to support a planning application can only respond to a fixed design. If the design has not accounted for flood risk, the assessment may reveal problems that require redesign.
We understand the pressures of architectural practice: client programmes, planning timetables and the need for clear, unambiguous technical input that can be incorporated into a planning submission without further iteration. We scope assessments to be proportionate, we deliver to agreed timescales, and we respond to pre-application queries from planning officers and the Environment Agency on behalf of the design team.
The architects we work with repeatedly do so because they trust that the flood risk work will not let the project down. That trust is built on delivering what we say we will deliver, flagging problems early rather than late, and producing technical work that stands up to scrutiny from the planning authority and the Environment Agency.
Our work with architects forms part of our wider Flood Risk Assessment service. Under the latest National Planning Policy Framework, FRAs are increasingly commissioned alongside Surface Water Drainage Strategies and a wider review of planning and development constraints, allowing the design team to address flood risk, drainage and site-specific planning issues as a coherent package rather than three separate workstreams.
The Flood Risk Assessment has a direct relationship with several design decisions that architects make at an early stage. Finished floor levels must be set at least 300mm above the design flood level, which is established from EA model data specific to the site. If the ground level of the site is close to or below the predicted flood level, the FRA will inform decisions about raising the building, setting the ground floor use as less vulnerable, or relocating the most sensitive elements of the programme to higher ground within the site.
The December 2024 NPPF requires that any application which could affect drainage on or around the site incorporates sustainable drainage systems to control flow rates and reduce volumes of runoff. This is not limited to major development: SuDS are expected on all new development unless there is clear evidence it would be inappropriate. For most new build projects, a surface water drainage strategy will be required alongside the FRA. SuDS features are most efficient when integrated into the landscape and site design from the start, rather than fitted around a fixed hard landscape scheme.
For schemes requiring BREEAM certification, the flood risk assessment also needs to satisfy Pol 03 criteria, which go beyond planning requirements. BREEAM requires all flood sources to be individually assessed, design responses to be documented, and climate change allowances to be applied across the full development lifetime. A planning FRA that does not address these additional requirements will not satisfy a BREEAM assessor. We prepare assessments structured to satisfy both planning and BREEAM requirements from a single commission where both are needed.
• RIBA Stage 1 or 2: pre-application flood risk scoping to establish requirements before design is committed.
• Any project where the site or adjacent land is shown in Flood Zone 2 or 3 on the EA Flood Map for Planning.
• Any project over 1 hectare in Flood Zone 1, or where the SFRA identifies surface water or other flood risk.
• Projects requiring a surface water drainage strategy under the December 2024 NPPF.
• BREEAM schemes where Pol 03 flood risk and surface water credits are required.
• Projects where the planning authority or Environment Agency has indicated flood risk will be a material consideration at pre-application stage.
We work with architects from RIBA Stage 1 through to planning submission and post-planning support. We provide pre-application scoping that gives a clear picture of flood risk requirements before design decisions are committed, and we integrate flood risk and drainage into the design process rather than responding to a fixed scheme.
We prepare FRAs and drainage strategies together as a single commission where both are required. We are familiar with BREEAM Pol 03 requirements and prepare assessments that satisfy both planning and BREEAM criteria from a single site-specific analysis.
We deliver to agreed timescales, provide clear and unambiguous technical input, and respond to pre-application queries from planning officers and the Environment Agency on behalf of the design team.
What we are looking to build with the architects we work with is a trusted partnership. The practices we work with regularly come back because that is the standard we hold ourselves to, and because it makes their projects easier to deliver.
Years combined civil & environmental engineering experience
Years delivering drainage, design and risk advisory
Projects including individual assets valued at £1 billion+
Drainage design and flood risk commissions delivered
Here are some of our latest testimonials from satisfied clients. If you’d like to discuss your requirements further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We are a charity owning a large parcel of land where gathering water is then affecting neighbouring properties. Received expert flood risk and drainage advice from FPS Environmental Ltd. All dealings with them were timely and professional. Site visit arranged where we were able to fully discuss causes and solutions. Great peace of mind obtained from engaging their expertise.
Michael Rowell
Landowner
The report I received was for a Flood Survey which was very thorough and clearly a lot of work had gone into it. The team were always available and conscious of deadlines. I would definitely recommend them if you are looking to get a flood survey completed.
Mike Gray
We spent thousands of pounds on poor quality investigations before reaching out to FPS Environmental. Most surveyors over promised and underdelivered creating tremendous stress for me and my family. FPSE has been absolutely amazing from the very beginning. They treated us with respect and restored our faith in this industry. We are incredibly grateful to them and highly recommend the company to anybody who wants to get a top product and piece of mind.
George Albota
I have used FPS, Simon and his team on several occasions over the last few years to advise on the flood risk and mitigating factors on both houses and prospective businesses. They have deep expertise and contacts across the spectrum of flood management. In particular, I have found their assessment reports invaluable. Whilst they are understandably busy, they are good to deal with and I would have no hesitation recommending them to anyone who is looking for advice in the sector.
Richard Warburton
Business Owner
FPS was really helpful in providing consulting advice in connection with a residential property acquisition. Sebastian from FPS undertook the survey and followed up with a full report and a consultation call to run through everything. The basic desktop data suggested a high flood risk, but this property-specific survey allowed us to take a well-informed position following Sebastian’s advice. Great work – and he and the FPS team were really helpful throughout the process. I’d certainly recommend them.
Richard Brandon
Very impressed with FPS Environmental Ltd and the guidance we have received to date. We had an hour long online consultation with the principal surveyor, and it was extremely helpful and productive. Thank you FPS. Will use the company again and highly recommend.
Helen Sutherland
FPS were able to work to our schedule and fit in an appointment at short notice. There was great communication from the office staff keeping us informed of any changes or requirements before the site visit.
The site survey was very thorough and Simon very knowledgeable, and quite happy to answer all questions. The provided report was extensive with usable information and recommendations. I will use FPS in the future and happily recommend them to all of my clients.
Drew Kirkland-Crawford
Deadwood Services Ltd
Send us your project brief and we will come back with a scope and indicative fee. Where additional input is required, this is provided on a formal instruction basis.
Certificate No: 420112023
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