Moorings At West India Dock North
The Brief
RIDA Reports Ltd was appointed to undertake a detailed flood risk assessment for a unique proposed development at the Moorings at West India Dock North, Hertsmere Road, London. The project involves the permanent mooring of a recreational barge to serve as a floating spa facility (‘Blue Mind Spa’). The objective of the assessment was to ensure this ‘Less vulnerable’ facility and its access points would remain safe over an estimated 50 to 100-year design life without negatively impacting the surrounding docklands.
Why the Client Chose RIDA
Introducing a permanently moored recreational vessel into an active dock environment requires highly specialised technical knowledge of tidal flood risks and local planning constraints. The client required an expert consultancy capable of navigating the complex requirements of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) and national policies. RIDA was selected for its proven ability to deliver tailored, site-specific flood risk strategies for unusual waterfront developments, ensuring robust technical evidence to support the planning application .
The Challenge
The primary constraint for this site was its location within Flood Zone 3b, representing a high probability of tidal flooding from the River Thames. While the site benefits from existing coastal defences providing a 1 in 200-year standard of protection, the assessment identified a critical residual risk from a potential breach of these defences. Modelling indicated that a defence breach during an extreme tidal flood event (factoring in climate change to the year 2100) could result in flood water depths of up to 0.601m at the property. Furthermore, the introduction of the barge required a surface water management strategy that would not increase runoff or exacerbate residual risks of localised shallow ponding on the adjacent quay.
The RIDA Difference
RIDA conducted a detailed flood risk assessment, meticulously evaluating Environment Agency tidal breach modelling and local SFRA data to establish the exact level of risk. To directly mitigate the identified 0.601m breach flood depth, the team specified highly tailored resilience measures: the barge must be securely anchored at both the front and back, and both the boat and its access platforms must incorporate a mechanism allowing them to safely fluctuate and rise by up to 600mm. Additionally, RIDA mandated that all access platforms be constructed from highly flood-resilient materials, such as stainless steel. To address surface water constraints, the team proposed an innovative Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) strategy where rainwater is captured and utilised within a harvesting system to irrigate planting on the deck, actively reducing surface water runoff while providing ecological benefits.
The Outcome
The comprehensive assessment successfully demonstrated that the recreational mooring could be safely established at West India Dock North. By integrating bespoke flotation mechanisms, resilient materials, and an on-board rainwater harvesting system, RIDA ensured the facility would be fully protected against tidal breach risks and effectively manage its surface water without increasing flood risk elsewhere. The report provided the robust, policy-compliant technical justification required by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to confidently support the client’s planning application.