Land South Of Purdoms Crook, Sandysike
The Brief
RIDA Reports was appointed to undertake a detailed flood risk assessment for a proposed commercial development at Land South of Purdoms Crook, Sandysike, CA6 5ST. The project involves the siting of a shipping container and storage unit on a greenfield site to form a hot and cold food takeaway facility.
Why the Client Chose RIDA
The client required specialist flood risk expertise to navigate stringent national and local planning policies for developing a greenfield site located near a main river. RIDA was selected to deliver a comprehensive assessment to support the planning application, provide robust mitigation strategies, and ensure full compliance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
The Challenge
The primary challenge for the development was its location within Environment Agency Flood Zone 3, indicating a high probability of fluvial flooding from the nearby River Lyne. The site was also identified as having a medium risk of surface water flooding, alongside a requirement to satisfy the sequential test for planning purposes. A major site-specific constraint was that establishing the finished floor level entirely above the design flood level of 9.94m AOD was unachievable due to access and topographical limitations, meaning an alternative, highly resilient design strategy was required.
The RIDA Difference
To address these constraints, RIDA conducted a robust evaluation of the site’s vulnerabilities and established a targeted mitigation strategy linked directly to the identified risks. Because raising the finished floor level above the design flood depth was not feasible, RIDA developed a strict ‘water exclusion strategy’. This involved specifying low-permeability building materials, such as engineering bricks, for construction up to 10.54m AOD.
The assessment mandated that all services and fittings be elevated above this level, with closed-cell insulation and sealed frames implemented throughout the structures. To mitigate the specific risk of the temporary units floating during a flood event, RIDA recommended securely anchoring the shipping containers to the floor. Furthermore, the assessment outlined a Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) approach to ensure surface water run-off would be properly managed and attenuated without increasing flood risk elsewhere.
The Outcome
The detailed flood risk assessment successfully demonstrated that the site could be developed in accordance with the NPPF, Environment Agency guidelines, and Cumberland Council requirements. By committing to the specified structural resilience measures, SuDS implementation, and a formal Flood Warning and Evacuation Plan, RIDA illustrated that the takeaway facility would remain safe for its operational lifetime and manage local flood risks effectively, providing strong technical support for the client’s planning application.
