Flood risk assessments for planning across Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, Fareham, Eastleigh, Gosport and the wider Solent coastal strip.
Hampshire combines some of England’s fastest residential growth with a flood risk environment that ranges from Solent tidal and coastal exposure in the south to chalk stream river corridors in the north, with surface water pressure across dense suburban areas throughout. Whether you are submitting to Southampton City Council, Portsmouth City Council, Winchester City Council, Fareham Borough, Eastleigh Borough, Test Valley, New Forest or East Hampshire, flood risk is likely to be a material consideration on your planning application.
Getting the scope right before design is fixed is the most efficient approach. A flood risk assessment that is commissioned late, after the layout and levels are fixed, often leads to either a redesign or a planning condition that requires further work after approval. Early instruction means the FRA can inform the design rather than respond to it.
“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 Solent coastline from Portsmouth to Hurst Spit presents some of the most technically demanding tidal and coastal flood conditions in southern England. Sea level rise projections for the English Channel are significant, and development near the coast must engage with EA coastal flood boundary datasets and the relevant Shoreline Management Plans. Portsmouth Harbour, Langstone Harbour, Southampton Water and the lower Test and Itchen estuaries all create tidal flood risk that affects major development areas. Waterfront regeneration in Southampton, including the Watermark West Quay scheme and the ongoing transformation of the city’s waterfront, requires detailed tidal FRAs that go well beyond the standard flood zone map.
The River Test and River Itchen are chalk streams with extensive Flood Zone 2 and 3 corridors through Winchester, Romsey, Stockbridge and Andover. The Test is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and development near its banks must address both flood risk and Environmental Permit requirements simultaneously. These are separate processes that both require attention, failing to obtain an Environmental Permit for works near a main river can result in enforcement action even after planning approval.
Hampshire County Council acts as LLFA across most of the county, with Portsmouth and Southampton as unitary authorities. HCC applies its own SuDS and drainage requirements to planning applications. In Southampton and Portsmouth, Southern Water’s combined sewer networks are under increasing pressure from more intense rainfall events, and drainage strategies must address both on-site SuDS management and the interface with the Southern Water network.
• Development in Flood Zone 2 or 3 along the Solent coast, Southampton Water, Test, Itchen, Meon or Hamble
• Coastal and estuarine development where tidal, wave overtopping and sea level rise risk must be addressed
• Development near the River Test where Environmental Permit requirements may also apply
• Development of 1 hectare or more in Flood Zone 1
• Development requiring a surface water drainage strategy under Hampshire County Council SuDS guidance
• Waterfront regeneration in Southampton or Portsmouth where detailed tidal modelling is required
We have delivered planning FRAs on the Solent coast, including a Flood Zone 3 scheme at Hill Head in Fareham requiring tidal sea level rise modelling, finished flood level calculations, flood resistance design and EA consultation, securing planning approval. That direct experience of Solent coastal FRA work and EA consultation is relevant across the South Hampshire growth area.
We understand the specific model data and SFRA evidence that applies to planning applications across the Hampshire districts, and the difference between what HCC as LLFA requires for surface water and what the EA requires for fluvial and coastal risk.
We cover Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, Fareham, Eastleigh, Gosport, Havant, New Forest, Test Valley and East Hampshire.
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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