Our experienced flood risk team works with developers and consultants to provide clear policy advice, and engages with local authorities to ensure that flooding matters are resolved efficiently through all stages of development. Ideally a flood risk assessment will be used at master planning stage in order that fruitless design work and planning fees for inappropriate development are avoided.
Flood Risk Assessment
We actively engage with Local Authorities to provide straightforward advice and clear policy guidance for Northern Ireland, the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) is a key aspect of development planning throughout the UK and Ireland. A site-specific FRA report allows developers and planners to understand the risk of flooding to the site and ensures a suitable land use with flood resilient development.
The scope and complexity of a flood risk assessment may vary depending on the nature of the development, the flood risk identified as affecting the site, and the type and quality of flood data that already exists for the site. Complex flood risk assessments may require specialist river or surface water flood modelling drawing on our in-house expertise to challenge flood maps or better define indicative models.
We can quickly advise you on an appropriate and cost-effective flood risk assessment for your site.
Dependent on the nature of the proposal and the flood risk identified, the FRA may need to include:
We also provide flood risk assessments tailored for:
Our other related services include FRA and model peer review, and modelling of increased climate change requirements for other consultants.
Flood risk policy throughout the UK and Ireland tends to use a sequential approach to direct development for areas of lower flood risk. Requirements vary regionally and require experience of engaging with the relevant local authority– see below guidance for:
Flood risk policy is set out in the Strategic Planning Policy Statement for Northern Ireland (SPPS), and largely draws on Revised Planning Policy Statement 15 – Planning and Flood Risk (PPS15). Minor amendments may arise as Local Area Plans are published.
Policy in Northern Ireland is unusually onerous in that it essentially sterilises sites located in floodplains (shown on Flood Maps NI) unless the development proposed is deemed an exception to policy FLD1. Other policies specifically address flood risk from surface water and other overland sources (FLD3), protecting watercourses and drainage infrastructure (FLD2 and FLD4), and flood risk from reservoirs (FLD5).
Our local presence has allowed us to accumulate an unrivalled breadth of experience in flood risk planning in Northern Ireland and extensive experience of successfully engaging with Rivers Agency. Flood Risk Assessments may include the need for a Drainage Assessment.
Key contact- Kyle Somerville and Anthony McCloy
Flood planning policy is set out in “The Planning System and Flood Risk Management”. The policy aims to avoid development in flood zones and direct it to areas of low risk by adopting a sequential approach.
Policy requires that development is in a flood zone suited to its vulnerability, with only flood compatible development permitted in areas with a high probability of flooding unless the development passes a justification test. Areas predicted to be affected by flooding have been identified by CFRAM (Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management) studies.
Our Dublin office can provide development planning guidance and engage with the Office of Public Works (OPW) and local authority on your behalf; as well as assisting with related OPW Section 50 consents for works to watercourses.
Key Contacts- Paul Singleton and Kyle Somerville
Policy is set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in England and TAN15 in Wales. Policy requires that development is in a flood zone suited to its vulnerability, with only flood compatible development permitted in areas with a high probability of flooding unless the development passes an exception test. Areas predicted to be affected by flooding have been identified by the Environment Agency (EA) and Welsh Government. Revised climate change horizons must be considered to test for flood resilience, which may require revision of existing EA flood models.
We have an extensive history of providing Flood Risk Assessments — including complex modelling studies for residential, commercial, industrial, and renewable energy projects — and we have expertise in engagement with the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). In Wales, the approach is broadly similar, but the necessary report is a Flood Consequence Assessment (FCA).
Key Contacts- Anthony McCloy and Kyle Somerville
Policy is set out in Scottish Planning Policy 7 (SPP7). Policy requires that the development is in a flood zone suited to its vulnerability. Areas predicted to be affected by flooding have been identified by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).
We have a track record of providing complex flood risk assessments, surface water management plans, and model peer reviews (including 2D surface water flood models) to the satisfaction of SEPA and local authorities.
Key Contact- Kyle Somerville and Anthony McCloy