Flood risk and drainage consultancy for property developers across England and Wales, from pre-acquisition due diligence to planning submission and beyond.
FPS Environmental works with residential, commercial and mixed-use developers at all stages of the development process. We provide pre-acquisition flood risk assessments to inform land purchase decisions, site-specific FRAs and drainage strategies for planning applications, Sequential Test and Exception Test evidence where required, and ongoing support through planning conditions, discharge of conditions and construction-stage queries.
We work across England and Wales, covering all planning authority areas. We have direct experience of working with the Environment Agency, Lead Local Flood Authorities and drainage engineers across a wide range of development typologies and flood risk environments, from urban brownfield regeneration sites in defended flood zones to greenfield residential schemes in rural catchments.
FPS Environmental has delivered flood risk and drainage work for developers on projects ranging from individual plots to strategic residential sites and commercial developments. We are familiar with the commercial pressures of development programmes and we scope assessments to be proportionate and deliverable within planning timescales.
“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
Pre-acquisition is the most cost-effective point at which to assess flood risk. A site that is identified as being in Flood Zone 3b functional floodplain, or that requires an Exception Test that cannot be passed, has a fundamental viability problem that is better known before exchange than after. A pre-acquisition flood risk review can confirm the flood zone, identify whether Sequential or Exception Test evidence will be required, establish whether safe access and egress is achievable, and give an early indication of finished floor level requirements and their effect on scheme design.
At planning stage, the most common causes of flood-risk-related delay are EA holding directions on applications that have not addressed flood risk adequately, LLFA objections on drainage strategies that do not comply with local guidance or national standards, and Sequential Test evidence that has not been prepared correctly. All of these are avoidable with early instruction and the right approach to scoping the FRA and drainage strategy.
Post-planning, flood risk conditions are a common source of delay at discharge of conditions stage. Conditions requiring detailed flood level analysis, finished floor level confirmation, drainage design approval by the LLFA, or maintenance plan submission can each add weeks to a programme if not anticipated and managed. FPS Environmental supports developers through the full planning lifecycle, from pre-acquisition to discharge of conditions.
• Pre-acquisition: flood risk review to inform land purchase decisions and establish planning viability.
• Pre-application: scoping the FRA and drainage strategy requirements before the planning application is prepared.
• Planning application: site-specific FRA and surface water drainage strategy as required by the NPPF and local policy.
• SuDS design and Surface Water Drainage Strategy: required on all new development and can be prepared alongside the FRA as a single commission where both are needed.
• Sequential Test evidence where the site is in Flood Zone 2 or 3 and is an unallocated site.
• Exception Test evidence where a new build more vulnerable use is proposed in Flood Zone 3a.
• Discharge of planning conditions relating to flood risk, drainage design or finished floor levels.
Our flood risk advisory team is led by Alex Hanks, Head of Flood Risk and Civil Engineering. Alex is a qualified civil engineer with over a decade of experience in the development sector, and unusually for a flood risk consultant, he has sat on the other side of the table.
Before joining FPS, Alex was a director of a development company responsible for delivering luxury residential schemes in the South West, where he led the planning and construction phases. He understands what a flood risk constraint means for a programme, a budget and a planning application, because he has managed those pressures directly.
That background shapes how we work with developers. Flood risk advice that does not account for commercial reality is not useful advice. Alex and the team scope assessments to be proportionate, deliverable within planning timescales, and focused on what actually determines the outcome.
Our Flood Risk Assessment advisory is built around accurately assessing risk and ensuring long-term safety, but for developers the most valuable work often happens early. The strongest results come from considering a site at the feasibility stage, providing flood risk input that shapes the layout around the right outcomes from the outset, and developing the SuDS Design alongside the FRA rather than after it. When drainage and flood risk are addressed late, options narrow and costs rise. When they are addressed early, they shape a better scheme.
Sustainable Drainage Systems are a key part of modern placemaking when they are done properly. First and foremost, they manage water and flood risk safely. If drainage does not function as intended, everything else starts to suffer: surfaces fail, buildings deteriorate, gardens become unusable, and materials degrade, often becoming slippery, moss-covered or unsafe. The cost of fixing failed drainage retrospectively almost always exceeds the cost of designing it properly in the first place, and the disruption to residents, occupiers or asset value is often far greater again.
When designed well, SuDS can also shape the space. Above-ground features such as swales, rain gardens, basins and wetlands contribute to amenity, biodiversity and long-term liveability, and contribute directly to Biodiversity Net Gain requirements where these apply. The latest National Planning Policy Framework and the 2025 SuDS National Standards now require multifunctional drainage on most planning applications, and a well-designed scheme can satisfy regulatory expectations while genuinely improving the quality of the development. The opportunity, properly handled, is for SuDS to add value to a site rather than constrain it.
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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