Some Scottish councils require an independent check of flood risk and drainage assessments submitted for planning. The requirement depends on the authority, development and assessment. Confirm the applicable form and the reviewer’s eligibility before commissioning the check.
Originally published 25 March 2022. Council source links checked 1 October 2026; the former blanket list of requirements has been replaced with the guidance below.
Start with the council’s request
Ask which assessments need checking, whether a particular certificate is required and what qualifications, independence and insurance the checker must demonstrate. Send the exact request to the proposed reviewer, together with the site and original consultant’s details.
Published examples include West Lothian’s major-development certificates and Inverclyde’s March 2024 assessment guidance. The latter includes a householder exception. These examples should not be read as a Scotland-wide requirement.
What does an independent check cover?
The reviewer examines the agreed assessment and supporting evidence, records questions and considers the responses. A certificate follows only when the submission meets the applicable requirements. The review may identify additional work for the original team.
An independent certificate supports the planning evidence. The planning authority and SEPA retain their respective roles in the application process.
Arrange a review
To arrange an independent review or certificate, contact our team. We also carry out voluntary reviews in England and Wales.
For preparation of a new assessment, see flood risk assessments in Scotland. For a check focused on an existing hydraulic model, see flood modelling review.
