Flood risk assessments for planning across Surrey, the Thames, Mole, Wey, Blackwater and Bourne catchments.
Parts of Weybridge, Walton-on-Thames, East and West Molesey, Leatherhead, Guildford, Farnham and Camberley have significant Flood Zone 2 and 3 areas. Elmbridge Borough Council published a new Level 1 SFRA in April 2024 and Surrey Heath published its SFRA in 2021. The NaFRA2 update from March 2025 has changed flood zone boundaries at some Surrey sites. If your site has not been assessed recently, the current flood zone position should be confirmed before design work is finalised.
Tidal Thames influence in the northern parts of Surrey, which the standard EA Flood Map for Planning does not fully capture, is a specific planning consideration that must be addressed for sites in the Thames corridor north of Molesey Weir. This is a common gap in FRAs for this area, and one that the relevant borough SFRAs specifically address.
“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 Elmbridge SFRA 2024 covers the Thames, Mole and Wey corridors through Weybridge, Walton-on-Thames, East and West Molesey, Esher, Cobham and Leatherhead. Tidal influence on the Thames can extend upstream as far as Molesey Weir under certain flow conditions, meaning that some sites in the northern Thames corridor of Elmbridge require assessment of both fluvial and tidal risk. The SFRA sets out the specific assessment requirements for these locations and the tidal datasets that must be used.
The River Mole has a documented history of flooding through Leatherhead town centre, with significant events in 1968, 2000 and 2014. The Mole’s response to intense rainfall is rapid, and the combination of impermeable suburban surfaces in its catchment and the constrained channel through Leatherhead means that flood depths during major events can be significant. The River Wey creates fluvial risk through Guildford and Godalming, including within Guildford’s town centre conservation area where heritage constraints add further complexity to FRA work.
Surrey’s varied geology creates significantly different drainage conditions across the county. The chalk and greensand of east Surrey and the North Downs may support soakaway-based drainage on suitable sites. The London Clay and Weald Clay that dominate the north and west of the county require attenuation-based drainage. Groundwater flooding from the chalk and greensand geology is a material planning consideration in parts of east Surrey and along the North Downs. Surrey County Council as LLFA applies rigorous SuDS requirements to all planning applications, and the county’s own SuDS guidance must be followed alongside national standards.
• Development in Flood Zone 2 or 3 along the Thames, Mole, Wey, Blackwater, Bourne or any tributary
• Development in the northern Thames corridor where tidal influence must be assessed alongside fluvial risk
• Development where groundwater flood risk from chalk, greensand or gravel geology is a planning consideration
• Development of 1 hectare or more in Flood Zone 1
• Development in surface water flood risk areas identified in the relevant borough or district SFRA
• Development requiring a surface water drainage strategy under Surrey County Council SuDS guidance
We are familiar with the Elmbridge SFRA 2024, the Surrey Heath SFRA 2021 and the planning requirements of Surrey County Council as LLFA. Our FRAs engage with EA Thames, Mole, Wey and Blackwater model data directly and address tidal risk where it applies to northern Thames corridor sites.
We understand Surrey’s geological variability and the drainage design implications, the difference between a chalk site where soakaway testing is worth doing and a clay site where attenuation is the only realistic option.
We cover all Surrey districts and boroughs: Elmbridge, Surrey Heath, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Woking, Guildford, Waverley, Mole Valley, Tandridge, Reigate and Banstead, and Epsom and Ewell.
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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