Site-specific flood and surface water management assessments for BREEAM UK New Construction and residential schemes. Structured to satisfy both planning and BREEAM requirements from a single commission.
A BREEAM Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) is not necessarily the same document as a planning FRA. It is prepared to satisfy the BREEAM assessor against Pol 03, the credit category covering flood and surface water management. The criteria overlap with planning requirements in places but diverge in several important ways, and a planning FRA submitted in place of a compliant Pol 03 assessment will not necessarily secure the credits.
FPS Environmental prepares Flood Risk Assessments structured to satisfy both planning requirements and Pol 03 from a single commission. We work with developers, architects, sustainability consultants and BREEAM assessors from the earliest stages of a scheme, so that credit implications are understood before design decisions are fixed.
“The most effective BREEAM flood risk work happens during Concept Design. By the time planning is submitted the layout is fixed. If flood risk has not informed that layout, you are managing the consequences rather than designing ahead of them.”
Simon Crowther BEng (Hons) FCIWEM C.WEM MIET, Director, FPS Environmental
A planning FRA demonstrates that development is safe from flooding and does not increase flood risk elsewhere. Pol 03 goes further. It requires all flood sources to be individually assessed and scored, including groundwater, sewer flooding and reservoirs. It requires design responses to be documented with specific decisions, not general commitments. It requires surface water runoff to be demonstrated quantitatively, and climate change allowances to be applied across the full development lifetime. For residential schemes under Version 6.1, it also requires flood risk information to be suitable for communication to purchasers prior to occupation.
The number of credits achievable depends on the pre-development flood risk classification of the site, not on what mitigation is proposed. On sites with medium or high flood risk from any source before development, the available credits will typically be limited regardless of what the scheme does about it. This is why understanding the flood risk picture at acquisition or feasibility stage matters.
Read our full guide to BREEAM flood risk assessments and Pol 03 credits
• New build commercial schemes pursuing BREEAM UK New Construction ratings
• Residential schemes under BREEAM UK New Construction Version 6.1
• Any scheme where a planning FRA exists but has not been reviewed against Pol 03 criteria
• Projects where pre-development flood risk classification affects the number of achievable credits
• Schemes where flood risk and drainage must be aligned to satisfy both planning and BREEAM from a single commission
We prepare flood risk assessments structured to satisfy both planning requirements and Pol 03 from a single commission. Every assessment is prepared by a qualified flood risk consultant. We obtain EA Product 4 model data directly and assess all flood sources individually. We do not produce template reports or map-based screening documents.
We work with project architects, sustainability consultants, BREEAM assessors and developers. We understand the relationship between the flood risk assessment, the drainage strategy and the wider certification process, and we scope work to address the flood risk, surface water and watercourse pollution credits together where all three are being targeted.
If you are working on a BREEAM scheme and want to understand the credit implications before the design is fixed, send us your site address and target BREEAM rating and we will confirm what is required and provide a fee proposal.
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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