Flood Risk Assessments – How to Make it Work for You

Flood Risk Assessments – Everything You Need to Know

When you are planning a development, you might feel as though a Flood Risk Assessment is just ‘one more added cost’, however it is anything but. A properly written Flood risk assessment saves you time, money and can help you maximise your development. You might feel as though your development costs are mounting up, but if an investment in a Flood Risk Assessment could provide a 5x return on investment? It starts to sound more like a good idea…

Aegaea speak to many developers and architects who find themselves in a position where they are told, upon submission of plans, that they require an FRA and that without it, their application cannot be granted. Unfortunately, it is all too common. Aegaea’s team of specialists can produce a flood risk assessment bespoke to your development that compliments your development aims and sets out all your requirements against policy – including demonstrating how your development meets and exceeds them – something that local planning authorities are always keen to see.

So whether it is a stand alone flood risk assessment, or coupled with a surface water drainage strategy, early engagement in the process is critical.

Key takeaways? Investing in a flood risk assessment saves time and money.

What is an FRA?

A Flood Risk Assessment, or FRA, takes reviews:

• The flood risk to the site of your proposed development.

• The development proposals against the potential risks of flooding and

• Potential mitigation measures to protect the development from flooding.

Flooding can come from many different sources such as groundwater, surface water, river water and tidal water, as well as sewer sources. A comprehensive flood risk assessment will cover all of those risks and review those risks over the lifetime of your development, including climate change.

Furthermore, the assessment will also consider whether the development proposal may increase the risk of flooding to the surrounding area. A flood risk assessment must demonstrate not only that the on-site arrangement is acceptable in terms of planning, but also that the development as-a-whole does not increase the risk of flooding to third parties.

An Aegaea flood risk assessment is completed using data sources from the Environment Agency modelling, lead local flood authorities, sewerage undertakers, public domain, as well as data sets that are generated by our team of experts. Using our professional insight and approach, it is possible to determine the flood risks to both the development and the surrounding areas.

A completed FRA will then form a part of your planning application, making it an assessment that your entire development relies on and that’s why you should always use a reputable service when it comes to completing an FRA.

What is the Aim of a Flood Risk Assessment?

A flood risk assessment will identify the risks of flooding, but it will also determine whether the measures that are proposed to deal with the risks are both safe and appropriate over the life of the development.

Why You Need a Flood Risk Assessment

In the UK, 1 in 6 properties are at risk of flooding and this proportion is thought to be increasing. In the quest for developable land and reuse of existing sites, it is always prudent to check the flood risk zones which provide a clear insight into those areas that are at risk. The areas are defined as Flood Zone 1, Flood Zone 2 and Flood Zone 3a and Flood Zone 3b.

• Is your development fall within Flood Zone 2, 3a or 3b? Then you will be required to have a detailed Flood Risk Assessment.

• Is your development in a critical drainage area? Then you will be required to have a flood risk assessment.

• Is your development affected by surface water flooding? You need a flood risk assessment.

• Is there evidence of historic flooding? Yep, flood risk assessment.

• Are you at risk of flooding from groundwater, in a source protection zone, developing below ground? Chances are, you need a flood risk assessment.

If you answered yes to any of those questions, then contact Aegaea today to consult with experts who can help you assess your requirements. If you can’t answer any of those questions, then call us anyway, we’d be happy to help you out with a free consultation.

The reality is that the risk of flooding is increasing and if your development is considered to be in a high-risk area or may become a high risk are in the future, then it is a requirement that a flood risk assessment forms part of your thinking.