Flood risk assessments for planning on the Isle of Wight, Medina estuary, Eastern and Western Yar, coastal tidal risk and surface water flooding.
Planning a development on the Isle of Wight brings flood risk considerations that simply do not apply in the same way on the mainland. As an island, coastal flood risk affects the entire perimeter. Sea level rise projections for the English Channel are more significant here than the national average. The island’s short, steep rivers respond rapidly to intense rainfall with limited warning time. And Isle of Wight Council is both the Local Planning Authority and the Lead Local Flood Authority, its requirements are integrated in ways that require a specific understanding of the island’s planning process.
We have worked on the island, been appointed by the council and understand the specific flood risk characteristics and planning requirements that apply here. When we write an FRA for an IoW planning application, we are drawing on direct knowledge of how the council approaches flood risk, not making assumptions from a desk review.
“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 Medina runs through the centre of the island from the chalk downland to Newport Harbour and Cowes. The estuary through Newport presents combined tidal and fluvial risk, at times of high tide, freshwater drainage from the upland catchment is backed up by tidal water, creating flooding in the Newport floodplain that combines both sources simultaneously. This interaction must be assessed specifically in FRAs for any development near the Medina corridor. The Eastern Yar flows through Sandown and Brading to Bembridge Harbour, and the Western Yar drains to Freshwater Bay, both have fluvial flood risk in their lower reaches.
Coastal flooding affects the entire island perimeter. Sea level rise projections for the English Channel mean that coastal flood extents are expected to increase significantly over a standard development lifetime. FRAs for coastal and estuarine development must address the latest EA sea level rise allowances for this part of the Channel and engage with the Shoreline Management Plans covering the island’s coastline, the relevant SMPs divide the island’s coast into management units with different approaches to coastal change.
Surface water flooding was a major driver of the damage caused by Storms Babet and Henk, particularly across the clay lowlands in the south of the island and in the older built environments of Newport, Ryde, Shanklin and Sandown where drainage infrastructure is under pressure. IoW Council as LLFA applies its own SuDS requirements to all planning applications. Southern Water’s drainage capacity is a material consideration for larger developments.
• Development in Flood Zone 2 or 3 along the Medina estuary, Eastern or Western Yar or coastal frontages
• Coastal development where tidal, wave overtopping and sea level rise risk must be assessed
• Development of 1 hectare or more in Flood Zone 1
• Development in surface water flood risk areas identified in the IoW SFRA
• Any development requiring a surface water drainage strategy under IoW Council and Southern Water requirements
• Development where IoW Council pre-application advice has flagged a flood risk assessment requirement
We have been appointed by Isle of Wight Council and have delivered real projects on the island. We understand the combined tidal and fluvial mechanics of the Medina estuary, the coastal exposure around the island perimeter and the specific way that IoW Council, as both LPA and LLFA, reviews flood risk and drainage as an integrated requirement.
We travel to the island for site visits and are used to the logistics of island planning environments. We prepare FRAs and drainage strategies together for IoW applications so that both documents address the council’s integrated requirements.
IoW Council’s role as both LPA and LLFA means that flood risk, drainage and planning policy are reviewed in a single process. Understanding that integration is essential to getting an FRA right first time on the island.
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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