1. North Kesteven Fluvial Modelling Study:I led the delivery of a detailed fluvial hydraulic modelling study to support two residential planning applications at Land on Fen Lane, Dunston, after updated Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning (FMfP) mapping under NaFRA2 reclassified the Site from Flood Zone 1 into Flood Zones 2 and 3, resulting in an Environment Agency (EA) objection to the development. 

The FMfP in this area is based on national-scale modelling and did not account for the local hydraulic behaviour of Dunston Beck, surrounding ditch systems, or the influence of structures and local topography on flood routing. A Product 7 data request confirmed there was no existing detailed hydraulic model within the study area, meaning a site-specific hydraulic assessment was required to accurately define fluvial flood risk and support the planning applications.

To assess the flood risk, I developed a linked 1D–2D ESTRY–TUFLOW HPC model of Dunston Beck and associated ditch systems using high-resolution LiDAR, detailed channel survey data, topographic survey information, and detailed structural representation of bridges, culverts, railway embankments, and overland exceedance flow routes. The assessment incorporated hydrological inflows derived in accordance with the latest EA Flood Estimation Guidance using FEH Statistical and ReFH2.4 methods, including storm duration sensitivity testing and climate change allowances for the Witham Management Catchment.

The modelling demonstrated that the Site remained dry during all design and climate change events, with flooding only occurring during the extreme 0.1% AEP event. This confirmed that the national-scale EA mapping significantly overestimated flood risk at the Site. The modelling informed the Flood Risk Assessments, demonstrating that the proposed development could be made safe for its lifetime through implementation of plot-specific Finished Floor Levels based on modelled 0.1% AEP flood levels and appropriate flood resilience measures, whilst not increasing flood risk elsewhere.

A key success of the project was that the EA accepted the hydraulic modelling and amended Flood Risk Assessments at first review stage with no technical amendments required and subsequently withdrew its objection to both planning applications. The modelling provided a robust technical evidence base that supported approval of the 17-dwelling development at Planning Committee.

2. Banks Tidal, Fluvial & Breach Modelling Study (Ribble Estuary):

I led the delivery of a complex multi-phase tidal and fluvial hydraulic modelling study to support a proposed residential development at Banks, Southport, located within the low-lying Ribble Estuary floodplain. The Site was identified within EA FMfP Flood Zone 3 and required a detailed assessment of tidal, fluvial, and residual flood risk to support the planning process and demonstrate the suitability of the development. The study comprised defended and undefended tidal modelling, breach scenario modelling, and undefended fluvial assessment of the surrounding arterial drainage network.

The tidal and breach assessment was based on a comprehensive update of the existing 2014 EA Ribble Estuary model, including upgrade to the latest TUFLOW software, conversion into GeoPackage, updated LiDAR and survey terrain data, quadtree refinement, and incorporation of updated hydraulic structures.

I also undertook the tidal hydrological assessment and derivation of coastal boundary conditions in accordance with EA Coastal Flood Boundary guidance, including development of astronomical tidal curves, surge residuals, extreme sea level hydrographs, and Higher Central and Upper End climate change allowances for a 100-year development lifetime. 

A key component of the study involved assessing residual flood risk under breach and undefended scenarios. I developed multiple breach simulations and subsequently produced a separate undefended tidal model by removing all formal estuary embankments and flood defences. 

The modelling demonstrated that the Site remained dry during the present-day 0.5% AEP undefended tidal event, despite being entirely located within Flood Zone 3 in the FMfP. Flooding only occurred under climate change scenarios, demonstrating that the national-scale mapping overestimated present-day tidal flood risk at the Site. The tidal breach and undefended fluvial modelling confirmed no flooding reached the Site under any modelled scenario, including the most extreme climate change event.

The study provided a more representative and site-specific understanding of local flood mechanisms and residual risk than could be derived from the strategic EA mapping alone. A key success of the project was the development of a robust technical evidence base which challenged assumptions within the FMfP and supported planning decision-making through a defensible assessment of present-day and future flood risk from multiple sources. 

3. Knowsley Fluvial & Pluvial Modelling Study:

I undertook a fluvial hydraulic modelling study to support a proposed mixed-use residential and commercial development at Wheathill Farm, Knowsley, during the masterplanning stage. The Site is located within a complex urban catchment influenced by multiple watercourses, tributaries, large culverted systems, and interconnected drainage networks. The Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning indicated extensive areas of fluvial flood risk across the southern part of the development Site. 

The national-scale flood mapping did not fully represent the hydraulic complexity of the Childwall Brook catchment, including multiple culverted sections of watercourse, tributary inflows, drainage ditches, and recent upstream development which had altered flow routing through localised earthworks. To provide a more representative assessment of flood risk, I developed a linked 1D–2D ESTRY–TUFLOW HPC model incorporating Childwall Brook, Court Hey Brook, two tributary systems, the Southern Site Ditch, detailed hydraulic structures, channel and topographic survey data, and LiDAR.

A key challenge was defining representative hydrology within a highly urbanised catchment. I reviewed and refined FEH catchment boundaries using LiDAR, sewer records, and GIS analysis to ensure all contributing areas were appropriately represented within the hydraulic assessment. Another challenge was the presence of a recently constructed upstream development located directly within a key overland flow route to the Site. Following review of the as-built drainage and earthworks information, I updated the model topography and incorporated a series of attenuation ponds and associated drainage infrastructure to ensure their influence on flood routing and storage was appropriately represented.

I worked collaboratively with colleagues undertaking the accompanying pluvial assessment, with the fluvial model forming the basis of a wider integrated flood risk study across the Site. 

The modelling demonstrated that the Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning was conservative when compared to the site-specific hydraulic assessment, with flood extents shown to be significantly reduced across parts of the Site. The detailed modelling provided a more representative understanding of local flood mechanisms and enabled flood risk, development constraints, and site layout considerations to be assessed with greater confidence. This provided a robust technical evidence base to support the planning application and subsequent design development.