Daniel Cunningham

I am a Flood Risk Consultant and my primary focus is supporting planning applications with robust technical flood risk and sustainable drainage assessments, aligned with the National Planning Policy Framework and local planning criteria. While my passion for water environments and hydrology began during my geography degree, I now translate that technical expertise into practical, real-world solutions. Today, I work closely with clients to ensure the flood risk and sustainable drainage requirements are met for a variety of developments across the UK.

How I can help you

• Flood Risk Assessments: I apply expert knowledge of the NPPF to deliver robust Flood Risk Assessments for small and large scale developments, ensuring full policy compliance to secure a smooth and efficient planning approval process.
• Sustainable Drainage Strategies: Development of tailored SuDS strategies for commercial and residential use, balancing national drainage standards with site constraints.
• Flood Evacuation Plans: I develop comprehensive flood evacuation strategies, aligning emergency egress routes with Environment Agency guidelines to ensure full regulatory compliance.
• Property Flood Resilience: I have experience surveying sites and designing tailored Property Flood Resilience strategies, translating flood hazard assessments into practical building resistance and recoverability measures.

Expertise in action

• Discharge of Conditions (Isle of Wight): Successfully discharged planning conditions for a residential dwelling on the Isle of Wight by engineering a tailored Surface Water Drainage Strategy and Flood Evacuation Plan, overcoming site constraints to clear the project for construction.
• Large Scale Property Flood Resilience (Southampton): Surveyed a mixed-use site comprising a number commercial and residential units to evaluate flood risk. By analyzing individual building conditions and heritage constraints, I isolated critical vulnerabilities and delivered a highly tailored resilience strategy to effectively mitigate flood risk across the property.
• Compensation and Surface Water Drainage (Enfield): Delivered a comprehensive planning strategy for a residential extension, featuring a full flood risk assessment, flood compensation scheme, and targeted mitigation measures. Designed a detailed surface water drainage strategy utilizing a green roof and rain garden, successfully reducing runoff rates in strict compliance with the Enfield Minor Development SuDS proforma.
• Specific Flood Risk Assessment (London Borough of Richmond upon Thames): Conducted a comprehensive risk assessment for a hotel expansion project, which included a new terrace construction and building-wide flood resilience upgrades. Designed a phased implementation strategy that successfully mitigated risks both during construction and for the long-term protection of the property.

A bit about me

My connection to water extends far beyond my professional life. As a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, passionate wild swimmer, and avid kayaker, I am happiest when on or under the water. When landbound, I spend my free time exploring the countryside in my campervan, seeking out the great outdoors at every opportunity.