The Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) reviews a proposal of development in order to assess its risk for flooding. This risk is not only from groundwater sources or rivers (fluvial) but will also consider sources such as the sewers, estuary/coastal (tidal) or surface water (pluvial).
The Flood Risk Assessment is required before making plans. If a development is in a Flood Zone, or another at-risk zone, it is likely that approval is not granted without one.
What is the best time to have a Flood Risk Assessment Required?
In England and Wales, the Environment Agency requires a professional Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) to be submitted alongside plans in regions that are believed to be at risk of flooding. It is also required A Flood Risk Assessment if the proposed development will take place within 20 metres of the Environment Agency main river.
You can look up on the gov.uk website to find out if your location is in a flood area or what the flood zone is.
According to the Environment Agency,
You need to do an assessment of the flood risk for the majority of developments that fall in one of the zones of flooding.
This includes developments
Flood zone 2 or 3 with minor developments and changes of usage.
More than 1 Hectare (ha) in the flood zone 1
A little less than 1 hectare in flood zone 1 including the possibility of changing development type to a vulnerable class (for example , changing from commercial to residential), where they could be affected by sources of flooding other than sea and rivers (for example surface reservoirs, water drains); and
In a zone within the flood zone 1, which has drainage issues that are critical according to the Environment Agency.
It is also recommended that you contact your local planning authority to determine if the property is located within an area identified as having drainage issues that are critical.
How Is an Flood Risk Assessment Formed?
Flood Risk Assessments are developed from data sources from third parties. These sources could be data from the Environment Agency modelling or data that the consultant has collected on their own. An analysis of the data sets will be undertaken to gain a comprehensive overview of the site and any flood-related risks identified.
What factors can influence flooding?
Flooding can be influenced by various factors including:
surface water run-off
Local topography
proximity to rivers and coasts
geology
groundwater
Current land use
existing drainage
mines
quarries
hardstanding
vegetation cover
rainfall levels
What is Drainage Design/Strategy?
Often, one of the main requirements of the Flood Risk Assessment is to ensure (and be able to demonstrate) that the proposed development won’t lead to an increase in risk for flooding elsewhere.
In this scenario in this scenario, it is likely that a Drainage Strategy could be demanded by the Local Planning Authority.
They can be found anyplace in the world that is not an area of floodplain (river, coastal).
It is necessary to ensure that any run-off from the development in question is reduced.
How can we help?
We can provide Level 1 and Level 2 Flood Risk Assessments that:
Find out if flooding is a concern on the site of development.
Determine if the area is at risk of flooding.
Determine if the flooding risk from increased run-off may be greater at the site.
Look for sources of flooding.
Evaluate the accuracy and accessibility of existing information;
Qualitatively assess flood risk at a location and impact on flooding in other areas.
Examine the potential scope of the appropriate design of development and plan additional work where required.
How We Are Qualified To Help you
Individuals who aren’t professionals or educated in Flood Risk Assessments may produce the assessments. Flood Risk Assessments can be complex because of their nature. Authorities could reject evaluations that do not address all flooding scenarios. This could lead to long delays in the approval of plans and the beginning of work.
A poor Flood Risk Assessment can lead to a negligence claim against the developer in the event of a catastrophic flood.