Hydrogeological Impact Assessment for Planning & Development
Planning Support Where Development Could Affect Groundwater
A hydrogeological impact assessment may complement Flood Risk Assessments for Planning Permission. It examines how your proposed works could change groundwater levels, flows or pathways and affect nearby structures, water features or other receptors.
Get A Free No Obligation QuoteThe trigger may be a planning condition, consultee request or site concern. The Flood risk and coastal change Planning Practice Guidance provides national planning context. Local requirements and the proposed works determine the evidence needed.
Request a Scope & Quote
Get A Free No Obligation QuoteWhat You Will Receive
The confirmed scope reflects your proposal, planning request and available site evidence.
Technical deliverables
- Review of geological, hydrogeological, planning and development information.
- Baseline groundwater regime and source-pathway-receptor conceptual assessment.
- Findings on potential impacts, evidence gaps and uncertainty.
- Mitigation, monitoring or further investigation recommendations where justified.
What this enables you to progress
- A planning application or planning condition response.
- Design changes linked to groundwater constraints.
- A decision on further monitoring, testing or modelling.
A Proportionate Assessment for Your Site and Proposal
Work can begin with desk based screening. Ground investigation, groundwater monitoring, testing or modelling may be needed where existing evidence cannot support reliable findings.
An HIA assesses development induced effects on the groundwater regime. It is distinct from a groundwater flood risk assessment and a Basement Impact Assessment. For area level context, you can check the long-term flood risk for an area. This does not replace a site specific assessment.
Groundwater conditions may affect surface water drainage design. The Environment Agency’s Infiltration systems: groundwater risk assessments guidance applies to groundwater protection for infiltration systems.
Information Needed to Scope Your Assessment
- Site address and red line, to review the local planning and groundwater context.
- Proposed drawings, levels and excavation depths, to define the works.
- Dewatering, drainage or infiltration details, to identify groundwater interactions.
- Planning conditions or consultee comments, to confirm the requested evidence.
- Ground investigation, borehole, monitoring and previous reports, to assess data gaps.
Send Your Drawings & Planning Request
Request a QuoteHydrogeological Impact Assessment FAQs
Do I need a hydrogeological impact assessment for planning?
You may need one if a planning authority or consultee requests it, or if proposed works could affect groundwater flows, levels or connected receptors.
Can RIDA work from my existing drawings and ground investigation data?
Yes. RIDA can review your available documents, define the assessment scope and identify missing evidence before further work is commissioned.
What will the assessment include, and when might monitoring or modelling be needed?
The scope can cover baseline conditions, impact pathways, receptors, uncertainties and mitigation. Monitoring or modelling may follow where desk based evidence is insufficient.
Can RIDA respond to planning authority or consultee comments?
RIDA can review the comments and confirm whether they fit the agreed hydrogeological scope. Send the full request and latest project documents.
Request a Hydrogeological Impact Assessment Scope
Send your planning request, site location, proposed works and available ground data. RIDA will review project fit, required evidence and the proportionate scope before providing a quote or advising if another specialist is needed.
Request a Hydrogeological Impact Assessment Scope
Request a Quote