Flood risk assessments for planning in Burton upon Trent, Tutbury, Uttoxeter and across the River Trent and Dove floodplain corridor.
East Staffordshire and Burton upon Trent have a significant proportion of their most commercially attractive development land in or adjacent to the River Trent and Dove floodplains. Former brewery and industrial sites in Burton’s Trent corridor, the legacy of the town’s centuries of brewing history, are central to the district’s regeneration strategy. FRAs for these brownfield sites must address compensatory floodplain storage calculations where development encroaches on functional floodplain, safe access and egress for future occupants, and the specific requirements of East Staffordshire Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council as LLFA.
We were selected by East Staffordshire Borough Council as one of three preferred surveying partners to deliver flood resilience assessments following the Storm Ciara and Dennis flooding of February 2020. That appointment gave us direct working knowledge of the district’s flood risk, drainage infrastructure and the council’s approach to flood risk management that feeds directly into the FRAs we produce for planning applications here.
“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 Trent runs through the heart of Burton upon Trent, with significant Flood Zone 2 and 3 areas on both banks through the town centre, Stapenhill, Winshill and Stretton. The River Dove joins the Trent near Tutbury and Hatton, with its floodplain extending upstream through Uttoxeter and into the Dove valley. The River Tame joins from the south near the Staffordshire boundary. Together, these three rivers and their tributaries create a complex flood risk picture across the district.
Brownfield regeneration in Burton’s Trent corridor requires FRAs that go beyond a simple flood zone check. Where development encroaches on functional floodplain, land that currently stores or conveys flood water, compensatory storage calculations must demonstrate that the lost storage volume is replaced without transferring flood risk to neighbouring properties. This is a specific technical requirement that the EA monitors carefully on Trent corridor applications.
Surface water flooding across Burton’s urban area was a significant driver of the Storm Ciara and Dennis damage in February 2020. The town’s drainage infrastructure, including older combined sewer sections operated by Severn Trent Water, was under pressure during those events. Staffordshire County Council as LLFA applies SuDS requirements to all planning applications across the district, and drainage strategies must comply with SCC’s own guidance alongside national standards.
• Development in Flood Zone 2 or 3 along the Trent through Burton, the Dove through Tutbury and Uttoxeter, or any tributary
• Brownfield regeneration in the Trent corridor where compensatory floodplain storage calculations apply
• Development of 1 hectare or more in Flood Zone 1
• Development in surface water flood risk areas identified in the East Staffordshire SFRA
• Development requiring a surface water drainage strategy under Staffordshire County Council SuDS guidance
• Sites in Tutbury, Uttoxeter, Rocester or the Dove valley where fluvial and surface water risk combine
We were appointed by East Staffordshire Borough Council directly and prepared the South Derbyshire SFRA 2025 on the adjacent boundary. That gives us detailed Trent and Dove catchment knowledge on both sides of the county line, an understanding of how the river system behaves as a whole rather than in isolated local sections.
We know the compensatory storage requirements for Trent corridor brownfield sites, the SCC LLFA drainage requirements and the planning approach of East Staffordshire Borough Council. Our Nottingham-based team can reach Burton upon Trent quickly.
We cover East Staffordshire Borough including Burton upon Trent, Uttoxeter, Tutbury, Hatton, Rocester and the surrounding rural parishes.
Our East Staffordshire FRA service forms part of our Flood Risk Assessment work delivered nationally across England and Wales.
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
© Copyright 2026 FPS Environmental. All rights reserved.
