Flood Risk Assessments (FRA) are a crucial step in the development process, as they help identify potential flood risks and inform the design of flood protection measures. They are used to assess the likelihood of flooding from various sources, such as rivers, the sea, and surface water, and to determine the potential consequences of a flood event.
It evaluates watercourse size, landscape type, ground cover and soil permeability, and the risk posed by both existing and proposed development. The process of conducting a Flood Risk Assessment typically includes the following steps:
Identifying the source of flooding
This step involves identifying the potential sources of flooding, such as rivers, the sea, and surface water.
Determining the likelihood of flooding
This step involves assessing the likelihood of flooding from each identified source, taking into account factors such as weather patterns, topography, and land use.
Assessing the potential consequences of flooding
This step involves determining the potential consequences of a flood event, such as damage to property and infrastructure, and the potential impact on human health and the environment.
Identifying and evaluating potential flood protection measures
This step involves identifying and evaluating potential flood protection measures, such as building flood walls, creating flood storage areas, and raising the level of existing structures.
Developing a flood management plan
This step involves developing a comprehensive flood management plan, which sets out the measures that will be taken to reduce the risk of flooding and to mitigate the consequences of a flood event.
What is a flood risk assessment?
A flood risk assessment is a site-specific report setting out how flooding could affect your development over its lifetime, and what the design has to do about it. It is a planning document before it is a technical one: your local planning authority reads it, and on larger or higher-risk sites so does the Environment Agency.
It has to account for every source, not only rivers and the sea — surface water and overland flow, groundwater, sewers, and artificial sources such as reservoirs and canals, along with the way they interact. Where development is acceptable in principle, the assessment then sets finished floor levels, safe access and egress, flood resilience measures and any compensatory storage the scheme needs.
If you are not sure whether your site needs one, send us the address and we will tell you.
Why Choose Our Flood Risk Assessment Consultants?
We are a trusted and experienced team of Wolverhampton and Birmingham flood risk assessment consultants who understand the ever-changing nature of flooding risks. We provide comprehensive flood risk assessments that enable clients to make informed decisions on their development plans and provide valuable insight into how best to mitigate future flooding.
Our services are tailored to meet your individual requirements, ensuring you have the most up-to-date information available. We also offer advice on long-term strategies to reduce the risk posed by flooding, such as installing a soakaway.
We are committed to providing a comprehensive and professional service that meets your needs and helps ensure the safety of you, your property and your development.
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A full flood risk assessment we prepared and took through planning. It works through the sequential and exception tests, the flood levels the site will see over its lifetime including a climate change allowance, and sets finished floor levels and safe access against them — with the Environment Agency and BGS data the conclusions rest on included in full.
Frequently asked questions
What are the different Flood Zones in England?
- Less than 0.1% chance of flooding per year.
- Most developments are safe here, and a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) is usually not required unless the site is large or has specific risks.
- 0.1% to 1% chance of river flooding per year; 0.1% to 0.5% for sea flooding.
- Developments may need an FRA, especially for residential or vulnerable uses.
- Greater than 1% chance of river flooding per year; greater than 0.5% for sea flooding.
- Strict development controls apply, and an FRA is required. Highly vulnerable developments are typically restricted.
- Greater than 5% chance of flooding per year.
- Development is highly restricted, with only essential infrastructure and water-compatible uses allowed. Flood risk assessments are mandatory.
What is the timeline to complete a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA)?
Who needs a Flood Risk Assessment?
- Local Planning Authorities (LPA): To ensure compliance with flood risk regulations and safe development.
- Developers and Architects: To design developments that minimise flood risks and meet regulatory standards.
- Environment Agency: To assess and manage the impact of developments on flood risks.
- Property Owners and Future Occupants: To ensure safety from flooding and protect property investments.
- Insurance Companies: To determine insurance premiums based on flood risk.
- Local Communities: To ensure new developments don’t increase flood risk in the area.
- Consultants and Engineers: To analyse risks and propose mitigation measures.
Do I need a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA)?
When does a planning application need a flood risk assessment?
An FRA is normally required for any development in Flood Zone 2 or 3, for sites of one hectare or more in Flood Zone 1, and for smaller sites in Flood Zone 1 where there are other sources of flooding — surface water, groundwater, sewers or reservoirs. If you are unsure, send us the site address and we will check the Environment Agency mapping.
What sources of flooding does an assessment cover?
All of them, not just rivers and sea. A site-specific FRA considers fluvial and tidal flooding, surface water and overland flow, groundwater, sewer flooding, artificial sources such as reservoirs and canals, and the interaction between them.
Can I still build in Flood Zone 3?
Sometimes. It depends on the vulnerability of what you are proposing and whether the Sequential Test — and where relevant the Exception Test — can be passed. Where development is acceptable in principle, the assessment sets out finished floor levels, flood resilience measures, safe access and egress, and any compensatory storage needed.
How long does a flood risk assessment take?
That depends on the site, and we will give you a programme when we quote. Where modelled flood level data has to be requested from the Environment Agency, that request can add several weeks and is worth starting early.