How to do a flood risk assessment?

A Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) demonstrates how proposed developments will be safe from those risks.

First you need to identify what Flood Zone your site falls within using Environment Agency maps and whether there are any Local Authority Strategic Flood Risk Assessments (SFRA’s) for your area. From this initial identification you should gather other relevant information about the site, specifically relating to site levels, layout drawings etc.

Assess all potential sources of flooding in relation to the site, including rivers, sea, surface water, groundwater and reservoirs. As well as taking into consideration changes that could occur because of climate change.

The planning process may require you to complete the sequential test and if required the exception test.

Finally, you define suitable measures to mitigate against flood risks. These may include raising finished floor levels, ensuring safe access and escape routes and implementing Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDs) to control surface water run-off.