Flood risk assessments for planning across Cambridgeshire – Cambridge City, South Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Huntingdonshire and East Cambridgeshire.
Greater Cambridge, Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, published an updated Level 1 SFRA in 2025 as part of the Integrated Water Management Study for the emerging Greater Cambridge Local Plan. This updated SFRA uses the latest NaFRA2 data and applies current climate change allowances for the River Cam catchment. Cambridge is one of England’s fastest-growing cities, and flood risk is a material consideration on many of the development sites being assessed for the Local Plan. If your site has been assessed against an older SFRA, the requirements may have changed.
The Fens present a fundamentally different planning environment. With a third of Fenland District currently below sea level, the area relies on a network of flood protection assets, the Bedford Rivers, the Middle Level Main Drain, the Counter Drain, the South Holland Main Drain and numerous IDB-managed drains, that are largely approaching the end of their design lives. The Environment Agency’s Future Fens programme is assessing long-term options for managing flood risk in the Great Ouse Fens, but current planning FRAs cannot rely on future investment that has not yet been committed.
“A Flood Risk Assessment should be an engineering exercise, not a template report. At FPS Environmental every assessment is bespoke, focused on assessing flood risk thoroughly and supporting viable development.”
Simon Crowther BEng (Hons) FCIWEM C.WEM MIET
Director, FPS Environmental
The River Cam flows through the heart of Cambridge City, with significant Flood Zone 2 and 3 areas through Jesus Green, Midsummer Common, Coe Fen and the Riverside areas. The river’s floodplain constrains development in the city centre and along the Mill Road corridor. Hobson’s Brook, Cherry Hinton Brook and Coldham’s Brook are smaller urban watercourses that contribute to surface water flood risk across the eastern suburbs of Cambridge. The Greater Cambridge SFRA 2025 uses updated Cam model data and addresses all these sources alongside the Fens boundary at Waterbeach in the north.
The Fenland area, covering Fenland District, East Cambridgeshire, parts of Huntingdonshire and the northern fringes of South Cambridgeshire, is drained by a system managed jointly by the Environment Agency, the Middle Level Commissioners and multiple Internal Drainage Boards including the Swaffham, Waterbeach, Old West, Willingham and Over and Swavesey IDBs. Development anywhere in the Fens that may affect an IDB-managed drain requires specific IDB consultation, and the FRA must address IDB watercourse risk as a distinct flood source. This is a fundamental requirement in Fenland planning applications that the standard national guidance does not adequately cover.
The Middle Level Barrier Bank provides flood protection to a large area of the Cambridgeshire Fens, with the Counter Drain and associated infrastructure maintaining water levels across the central peat Fens. A breach of the barrier bank could cause rapid and extensive flooding across the low-lying agricultural land and any development within the protected area. FRAs for sites within the barrier bank protection zone must address breach risk as part of the assessment.
• Development in Flood Zone 2 or 3 along the River Cam, Great Ouse, Ouse Washes or any tributary
• Development in the Fens near IDB-managed drains requiring specific IDB consultation
• Development within the Middle Level Barrier Bank protection zone where breach risk must be addressed
• Sites covered by the Greater Cambridge SFRA 2025 where updated FRA requirements apply
• Development of 1 hectare or more in Flood Zone 1
• Development requiring a surface water drainage strategy under Cambridgeshire County Council LLFA guidance and the Cambridgeshire Flood and Water SPD
We understand the Greater Cambridge SFRA 2025 and its implications for development sites across the Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire area. We know the Fenland IDB governance structure, the Middle Level Barrier Bank protection zone and the specific FRA requirements for Fenland planning applications that standard national guidance does not cover.
Our FRAs engage with EA Cam and Great Ouse model data directly, address IDB consultation requirements as part of the assessment process and treat the managed Fenland drainage system as a specific and distinct flood source.
We cover all Cambridgeshire districts: Cambridge City, South Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Huntingdonshire and East Cambridgeshire.
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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