Prior Approval Flood Risk Assessments
Flood Risk Evidence for Prior Approval and Permitted Development
Some permitted-development rights require prior approval concerning flooding. RIDA provides this focused service alongside broader flood risk assessments for planning permission. The applicable class, local planning authority and current Flood risk and coastal change Planning Practice Guidance determine the evidence needed.
Get A Free No Obligation QuoteFlood Zones 2 or 3, surface-water risk, critical drainage areas and local flood evidence can affect the scope. Flood Zone 1 does not rule out a requirement where other flood sources or class-specific conditions apply.
For wider technical input or a demanding scope, speak to our flood risk assessment consultants.
What You Will Receive
| Technical deliverable | What this enables you to progress |
|---|---|
| Site-specific prior-approval Flood Risk Assessment | Technical evidence for your prior-approval submission. |
| Review of relevant flood sources and available site data | A scope based on flood evidence, rather than the flood-zone label alone. |
| Review of vulnerability, safe access, floor levels and mitigation where relevant | Coordination of proportionate design responses. |
| Submission-ready PDF with plans, data, assumptions and limitations | A clear submission package and record of any further work identified. |
A Proportionate Scope for Your Site
What RIDA reviews
- Applicable prior-approval flooding requirements
- Rivers and sea, surface water, groundwater, sewers and reservoirs where relevant
- Existing and proposed use, development vulnerability and available levels
- Potential mitigation, drainage coordination and further technical work
What we need from you
- Site address — to check the planning and flood context
- Existing and proposed plans — to define the development scope
- Prior-approval class and authority correspondence — to identify submission requirements
- Deadline, surveys, levels and drainage records — to assess available evidence
The fee reflects the site evidence and assessment scope. See the factors affecting flood risk assessment costs.
Prior Approval Flood Risk FAQs
Do I need a flood risk assessment for a prior-approval or permitted-development proposal?
A report may be needed where flooding is a prior-approval matter under the applicable class or the authority requests evidence. RIDA can review your site, proposal and correspondence before confirming the scope.
What do you need from me to quote for a prior-approval flood risk assessment?
Send the site address, plans, existing and proposed use, prior-approval class if known, authority correspondence, deadline and any available surveys or drainage records.
What will the prior-approval flood risk assessment include?
The report addresses relevant flood sources, development vulnerability, risk to and from the proposal, design considerations and proportionate mitigation using available site evidence.
Can RIDA respond if the local planning authority asks for further flood-risk information?
Yes. Send the authority’s request and application documents. RIDA can review the points raised and define the response or further technical work required.
Request a Prior Approval Flood Risk Quote
Send your site address, plans, proposed use, prior-approval class if known and authority correspondence. RIDA will review the information and confirm the assessment scope. Local planning authority acceptance cannot be guaranteed.