Flood risk consultancy
Flood Risk Assessments
Whether you need a flood risk assessment to support your next planning application, or to understand if your next investment will be at risk of flooding in the future due to climate change, our team of experts are here to assist.
SUPPORTING YOUR PLANNING APPLICATIONS
FLOOD RISK DUE-DILIGENCE
Did you know that if you are submitting a planning application for a site which falls within a flood risk area, as defined by the Environment Agency Flood Zones, the Development Advice Map in Wales, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency Flood Maps in Scotland, you will require a Flood Risk Assessment (or Flood Consequences Assessment in Wales).
Our dedicated team of flood risk professionals has over 25 years’ of experience in supporting planning applications for housing, commercial, recreational and leisure, renewables, and infrastructure in England and Wales. We have worked on all manner of schemes over the years, from small residential sites to spaceports!
Our engineers work with the latest legislation and guidance, flood modelling data, and software to produce accurate assessments. Where we identify a tangible flood risk, we will work with you to develop a pragmatic and cost-effective solution to protect your property or asset.
Our reports assess flooding from all possible sources, including:
- Fluvial (river flooding)
- Pluvial (surface water from rainfall)
- Groundwater
- Estuary and coastal
- Canal and reservoir
- Sewer flooding
WHAT SERVICES DO WE OFFER?
- Flood risk assessments for all development types to support planning
- Flood risk assessments supporting due-diligence (acquisition and disposal)
- Removing objections from the environment agency
- Climate change analysis
- Flood risk appraisals
- Flood modelling
- Designing flood plans
- Arranging surveys such as topographical surveys
BOOK YOUR FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT
OUR RECENT WORK
Flood risk assessment to support planning for residential
Residential development – 283 dwellings
Flood risk assessment to support a full planning application for 283 dwellings for a site in Leicestershire. Detailed hydraulic flood modelling was undertaken to understand potential flood risk from a main river, required to ensure development was steered outside of flood risk areas and finished floor levels were set above the extreme flood level.
Flood risk assessment to support planning for industrial
Industrial site
Flood risk assessment to support a full planning application for two new warehouses with associated car parking within an undeveloped parcel of land, located within the eastern portion of Birthwaite business park.
Flood risk assessment to support planning for Nuclear sector
Nuclear site – classified
Flood risk assessment to support a full planning application for development within a nuclear facility located in England. This involved recommending finished floor levels above the extreme 1 in 1000 year plus climate change flood levels.
Flood risk assessment to support planning for universities
University – lawn tennis and squash courts
Flood risk assessment to support a full planning application for an indoor tennis court development for the Lawn Tennis Association National Academy, and new University Squash Courts. Land for the development was located in Flood Zone 3 and through an innovative design to mitigate flood risk, by allowing flood water to pass beneath the building, planning was granted.
Flood risk assessment to support planning for the public sector
Nottingham City Council –provision for nursery, primary and secondary schools
Flood risk assessment and detailed hydraulic flood modelling carried out to assess flood risk constraints associated with the potential development of land for educational end-use. Working closely with the Environment Agency our report directed development away from areas of greatest flood risk and provided recommended flood mitigation measures.
Flood risk assessment to support acquisition
Large confidential site
Pre-acquisition flood risk assessment on a potential investment property, for a site located in Flood Zone 3 (high risk). The client was uncomfortable purchasing a site within this flood zone and wanted further assessment to be undertaken before proceeding with the acquisition. Following our site inspection, meetings with the Environment Agency and a review of the latest flood model data, we were able to successfully challenge the high risk flood rating. Based on our assessment of the flood data, the EA agreed that the level of risk was lower than originally estimated, providing the necessary reassurance for our client.
Flood risk assessment to support disposal
Large confidential site
Flood risk assessment and detailed hydraulic flood modelling carried out to assess flood risk constraints associated with potential development of land for educational end-use. The report directed development away from areas of greatest flood risk and provided recommended flood mitigation measures, working closely with the Environment Agency.
FLOOD RESILIENCE STRATEGIES
Has your site or property flooded in the past, or perhaps you are worried that you are at risk of flooding.
We will undertake a full flood resilience survey, where our chartered engineers will undertake a site investigation, produce a flood risk assessment or appraisal and then provide you with recommendations to mitigate and reduce the risk of flooding.
WHAT SERVICES DO WE OFFER?
- Flood risk assessment to understand the potential water ingress routes, depths and velocities
- Site inspections
- Flood investigations
- Designing resilience strategies
- Costing for schemes
- Contract management
OUR RECENT WORK
Flood resilience – theme parks
Drayton Manor theme park
Following severe flooding in 2020, Avison Young were instructed to design a flood resilience strategy to reduce the risk of flooding. Detailed hydraulic flood modelling assisted with this project to understand options. The result was a series of demountable defences, flood walls and flood gates which have been put to the test.
Flood resilience – hotels
Crowne Plaza Leeds
Our client required flood resilience and mitigation advice on a building that had recently been inundated with flood water; with the water level peaking at 1.5 metres at basement level.
A two tier approach was adopted. Tier one included external defences, designed to stop water from entering the building. These included a reinforced brick wall around the site, a bespoke flood gate and demountable defences. Tier two included internal defences designed to protect internal business critical plant, such as the generator and electrical switchgear. These were protected by custom built flood doors which were designed to be totally submersible and demountable defences.
Flood resilience – industrial
Confidential client – distribution centre
Following significant flooding Avison Young was appointed to design a flood resilience strategy to prevent the risk of water ingress into a distribution centre. The strategy included flood walls, flood gates, doors and barriers including a flood warning system and has since its implementation the site has remained flood free.
Flood resilience – retail parks
Confidential client – Chesterfield
Following significant flooding impacting three large retail units, Avison Young was appointed to investigate flooding and design a strategy to reduce the risk of water ingress into the units. The report and strategy was included in the vendors due diligence pack showing investors that the site could be successfully protected from flooding.
Flood investigations
Confidential client – west Wales
Flood investigation was carried out to understand the cause of frequent flooding within a portion of the holiday park. Flood modelling confirmed site observations and a flood wall was proposed which Natural Resources Wales approved and planning was granted.