Flood risk assessments for planning across Birmingham City and the wider West Midlands, Rivers Rea, Cole, Tame and surface water flooding.
Birmingham’s flood risk is more complex than its landlocked location might suggest. The city’s dense urban fabric, its network of culverted and semi-culverted rivers, and the simultaneous interaction of multiple flood sources, rivers, sewers, surface water overland flow, means that flood risk assessments are a regular requirement across a wide range of sites, many of which do not sit within formal river flood zones at all.
Birmingham City Council actively prefers integrated urban drainage modelling that considers rivers, sewers and surface water overland flow simultaneously, rather than treating each source in isolation. This reflects the reality of Birmingham flooding: during intense rainfall events, multiple sources interact. An FRA that addresses only the main river flood zone misses the problem that is most likely to affect the site.
“A technically weak drainage strategy is one of the most preventable causes of a development programme collapsing.”
Simon Crowther BEng (Hons) FCIWEM C.WEM MIET
Director, FPS Environmental
The Rivers Rea, Cole, Tame and Blythe all have Flood Zone 2 and 3 areas along their corridors. The River Rea is the most significant for development in south and east Birmingham, flowing through Balsall Heath, Sparkbrook, Bordesley Green and Kings Norton before reaching the Tame. The Rea corridor affects development in Digbeth, one of the city’s most active regeneration areas, and in the Kings Heath, Stirchley, Kings Norton and Cotteridge districts to the south. The River Cole affects development through Hay Mills, Stechford, Ward End and Coleshill. The River Tame runs through Castle Vale, Witton and Erdington in the north of the city.
Birmingham’s Surface Water Management Plan identified multiple hotspot areas across the city where surface water flooding risk is documented independently of the river network. Development that adds impermeable area to stressed urban catchments in these hotspot areas must demonstrate effective surface water management. Birmingham City Council as LLFA applies its own SuDS requirements, and Severn Trent Water’s drainage capacity constraints are material for urban infill and regeneration sites.
Groundwater flooding adds a further dimension in parts of south Birmingham. The Birmingham aquifer underlies much of the urban area, and rising groundwater levels in the south of the city are projected to cause increased groundwater emergence over the lifetime of new development. For sites in Selly Park, Bournville, Kings Norton and the southern suburbs, groundwater flood risk should be assessed alongside surface water and fluvial sources.
• Development in Flood Zone 2 or 3 along the Rea, Cole, Tame or Blythe
• Development in a Surface Water Management Plan hotspot area where documented surface water risk applies
• Regeneration development in Digbeth, Eastside or the Rea corridor where multi-source flood risk applies
• Development of 1 hectare or more in Flood Zone 1
• Sites where groundwater flood risk from the Birmingham aquifer is a planning consideration
• Development requiring integrated urban drainage modelling under Birmingham City Council’s preferred approach
We understand Birmingham’s integrated flood risk approach and the multi-source picture that the council expects FRAs to address. Our assessments reference EA model data, the Birmingham SFRA and the SWMP evidence directly, not just the standard flood zone map.
We know the specific requirements of Birmingham City Council’s planning and flood risk teams, and the difference between what the council expects on a riverside Digbeth regeneration site and what it expects on a suburban Flood Zone 1 site with documented surface water risk.
We cover Birmingham City and the surrounding West Midlands metropolitan authorities including Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley, Solihull and Coventry.
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.
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