A professionally completed FRA can help in unlocking complex sites while ensuring the long-term safety and resilience of the proposals, avoiding reputational and financial risks associated to a proposed scheme. Early engagement in the design process will often help to reduce costs for our clients while ensuring the implementation of best practice
A Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) investigates the level of flood risk associated to a proposed development, now and in the future, taking into account the effect of climate change. It informs the design of the proposed scheme and discusses the proposed mitigation measures to ensure the safety of the proposals and the avoidance of any negative impact elsewhere.
When is a Flood Risk Assessment required?
A Flood Risk Assessment is required to support the planning application for all developments located in Flood Zone 2 and 3 (medium and high probability of fluvial and tidal flooding). It is also required for planning applications bigger than 1 hectare irrespective of their location and for sites where specific flood risk issues have been identified by the regulators.
Are there any regulations that a FRA is required in order to meet?
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and associated Flood Risk and Coastal Change Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) provide the framework for managing flood risk in England and undertaking a FRA. However, local policy and guidance and the requirements of key regulators/consultees as for example the Environment Agency and the Lead Local Flood Authorities must be taken into account as part of the FRA process.
What to include in a Flood Risk Assessment?
The scope and focus of a FRA depends primarily on the potential sources of flooding in the area, the likelihood and magnitude of a potential flood event, the type of development proposed and its vulnerability. A FRA can be a short document based on readily available information when the flood risk is low; or a complex study involving for example hydraulic modelling and comprehensive mitigation measures when the likelihood of flooding or potential impact is higher or needs to be investigated to be understood.
It is the responsibility of the flood risk consultant to recommend a proportionate scope, focusing on key constraints and positively influencing the design process through liaison with the client, the architect and the design team.
There is a growing focus on the sustainable management of surface water runoff and the development of a surface water drainage strategy which optimises the use of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) is gradually becoming an essential part of the FRA for many application sites, depending on scale and local policy.
How can Sweco support the Flood Risk Assessment process?
We support a wide range of clients producing FRAs for small to large scale planning applications, for development and infrastructure projects, TCPA and DCO planning applications.
From urban, small-scale redevelopments to large greenfield masterplans and strategic infrastructure we have the skills required to support our clients.
We offer to our clients early strategic advice and due diligence at pre-planning stage, we identify constraints and opportunities and likely planning acceptability (e.g. Sequential Test) and make which help in streamlining the planning process.
Our specialists assess local hydrology and hydrogeology, investigate the standard of floor protection and the condition of existing flood defences and undertake any type of hydraulic modelling required to inform the FRA process. We develop surface water drainage strategies optimising the use of SuDS, through an integrated approach to green and blue infrastructure which increases the resilience and sustainability of any proposals.
We understand policy and best practice and have strong experience in engaging with regulators and stakeholders on behalf of our clients streamlining the identification of solutions which are cost effective, sustainable and proportionate.
Together with our clients and the collective knowledge of our 22,000 engineers, consultants and other specialists, we co-create solutions to address urbanisation, capture the power of digitalisation, and make our societies more sustainable. With international multi-disciplinary teams, we can call on the right insight and technical capability at the right time from across Buildings, Infrastructure, Advisory & Planning and Compliance.
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