Flood risk assessments for planning across all ten Greater Manchester districts, the River Irwell, surface water Critical Drainage Areas and Salford Quays.
Greater Manchester has one of the most active development markets in England and one of the most complex flood risk planning environments. Surface water flooding affects an estimated 163,000 dwellings across the conurbation, more than river flooding. The NaFRA2 mapping update from March 2025 and the GMCA’s updated Level 1 SFRA have changed the flood risk picture at some sites. And each of the ten district councils applies its own planning requirements informed by its own SFRA. Treating Greater Manchester as a single uniform area, submitting the same FRA approach to Salford as you would to Trafford or Stockport, is a common mistake that leads to objections.
We have staff based in Manchester and understand the requirements of each of the ten district councils, the GMCA SFRA framework and United Utilities’ drainage assessment process. We do not apply a generic approach across Manchester. We scope each assessment to the specific district authority and the specific site.
“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 Irwell carries the greatest fluvial flood risk in Greater Manchester. Significant Flood Zone 3 areas exist along the Irwell through Salford, Bury, Radcliffe and into central Manchester. Salford City Council requires FRAs for all riverside development along the Irwell corridor, including the major regeneration zones at Salford Quays, Greengate, New Bailey and the Lower Irwell. The Northern Quarter, Ancoats, Castlefield and Spinningfields all sit in or adjacent to flood risk zones and generate a significant volume of FRA work. Manchester City Council applies integrated urban drainage modelling, considering rivers, sewers and surface water simultaneously, and applications that treat each source in isolation are likely to draw objections.
Critical Drainage Areas are designated across Salford and other districts, where additional surface water assessment is mandatory regardless of flood zone. United Utilities’ drainage capacity constraints apply across the conurbation and must be engaged with in drainage strategies. In Stockport, the River Goyt and River Mersey create additional fluvial flood risk through the town centre. In Rochdale and Bury, the Roch and Irwell catchments present surface water and fluvial risk in valley-bottom development areas. In Wigan, the Douglas and its tributaries affect the western parts of the borough.
The revised NPPF has extended SuDS requirements to a broader range of development types than the previous policy. This is particularly relevant across Greater Manchester’s dense urban fabric, where surface water management has historically been inadequate and where local authorities are now actively enforcing the new requirements.
We have staff based in Manchester and understand the requirements of each of the ten Greater Manchester district councils individually. Salford’s Irwell riverside requirements are not the same as Manchester City’s integrated modelling preference, which is not the same as Stockport’s Goyt catchment approach. We know the difference and apply the right approach to each.
Our FRAs engage with EA model data directly, address CDA requirements where they apply and are prepared by qualified flood risk consultants. We prepare FRAs and surface water drainage strategies together so that both documents are consistent and submission-ready.
We cover all ten Greater Manchester districts: Manchester, Salford, Trafford, Stockport, Tameside, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, Bolton and Wigan.
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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