Your planning authority has asked for a flood risk assessment. Here is what that means, what it involves, and how to get a quote.
This is a technical report prepared by a qualified flood risk consultant that confirms the flood risk at your property and demonstrates that the extension is acceptable in flood risk terms.
It looks at the flood risk at your specific property, the predicted flood levels, how the extension relates to those levels, how surface water is managed on site, and whether the development would increase flood risk to neighbouring land. We review all relevant flood sources, not just the flood zone shown on the standard EA map, because surface water flooding and ordinary watercourse flooding often affect properties that appear to be in a lower risk area on the national mapping.
FPS Environmental prepares Flood Risk Assessments for householder planning applications across England and Wales. Every assessment is prepared by a qualified flood risk consultant and is bespoke to your site. Send us your site address and details of the proposed works and we will come back to you with a clear scope and fee.
An extension application can also be an opportunity to look at the flood risk affecting the whole property, not just the new works. For properties that have experienced flooding, or where the risk is present but has never been formally assessed, the FRA process involves understanding the flood mechanisms at the site in detail: where water is coming from, how it is entering the building, and what can be done about it.
In some cases that leads to recommendations that go beyond the planning application itself. A property in Flood Zone 3 in Cornwall came to us for a planning FRA to support a small extension. The owners had experienced internal flooding twice in recent winters from a nearby river. The assessment concluded that while the extension could be built to a high flood-resilient standard, some water ingress to the original building would remain likely in severe conditions. We recommended incorporating a packaged pump station within the extension design, a pre-formed sump chamber with an automatic pump, so that any water entering the older part of the house would be collected and removed without the owners needing to be present or to act. The extension became the means of improving how the whole property manages flood risk, not just of adding floor space.
That kind of outcome is not always possible, and it is not always within the scope of a planning FRA. But understanding the drainage, the flood mechanisms and the residual risk at a property in detail, which an FRA requires, is the necessary first step.
Where there are opportunities to improve things, we look to identify them. We investigate how sites behave. Flooding, drainage performance, levels and constraints. That insight feeds directly into our work, whether for planning, design or resolving existing issues.
• The property is in Flood Zone 2 or 3 and the planning authority has requested flood risk information.
• The extension includes a basement or any below-ground element.
• The site has experienced flooding from any source and the planning authority has flagged this.
• The Environment Agency has issued standing advice or commented on the application citing flood risk.
• The local planning authority validation checklist requires flood risk information for your flood zone.
If your property has flooded and you want to understand why, or you are thinking about flood resilience measures alongside the extension works, a site visit by one of our consultants can be arranged as a separate instruction. We attend the property, assess the drainage and the flood mechanisms affecting the building, and produce a report with practical recommendations. This is additional to the planning FRA and is priced separately. Contact us to discuss.
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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