01743 298100
info@geosmartinfo.co.uk
GeoSmart Information
  • Home
  • Reports
    • Contaminated Land Reports
    • Flood Risk Assessments
    • Sustainable Drainage Reports
  • Data
    • Groundwater Flood Risk Map
    • SuDS Infiltration Map
    • BGS Geology Datasets
    • User Guides
  • Services
    • GWFlood
    • GWSewerFlood
    • Flood Risk Portfolio
  • Knowledge Hub
    • Contaminated Land
    • Flood Risk Assessment
    • Sustainable Drainage Systems
    • Groundwater Flood Risk
    • CPD
    • Videos
    • News
    • Events
    • Blog
    • Library
    • Case Studies
    • Latest GeoSmart e-Newsletters
  • About
    • Our Customers
    • Our Team
    • Our Partnerships
    • Testimonials
    • Careers
    • Our Responsibility
    • A Sustainable Future
    • FAQs
  • Contact

Why do I need a Flood Risk Assessment in a Flood Zone 1?

Posted on November 12th 2019 in Blog, Flooding

A Flood Risk Assessment is normally required for any planning application where the site of the proposed development is located within Flood Zones 2 or 3 as defined by the Environment Agency. However, GeoSmart often get asked by clients as to why the local Council/Environment Agency have asked for a Flood Risk Assessment when the proposed development is located within Flood Zone 1.

A Flood Risk Assessment is mandatory for sites of 1 hectare or greater in Flood Zone 1.There are also sites which are less than 1 hectare within Flood Zone 1 which need a Flood Risk Assessment, including sites which have critical drainage problems, as notified to the local planning authority by the Environment Agency. Critical Drainage Areas (CDA) are specific areas within Flood Zone 1 where man made drainage infrastructure has been identified as at critical risk of failure, resulting in runoff causing problems downstream, and not necessarily an area where flooding problems may occur.

flood riskYou may also need to do a Flood Risk Assessment in Flood Zone 1, if your development could be subject to other sources of flooding (for example surface water drains or reservoirs) or a change of use in development type to a more vulnerable class, such as commercial to residential.

What if my Site is wholly or partially within a Flood Zone 2 or 3?

It should be noted that a Flood Risk Assessment catered to Sites within Flood Zone 1 will not be suitable for a Site within Flood Zones 2 or 3. If the Site is in a higher flood risk zone, the Council and Environment Agency will request that flood model data from the Environment Agency is included in the Flood Risk Assessment. This will be the case even if part of the Site red line planning boundary is within a Flood Zone 2 or 3 or if the proposed development will be located in the lower risk area (Flood Zone 1) of the Site boundary.

How do I find out which Flood Zone my Site is in?

If your Site is in England, it will be located in a Flood Zone 1-3 as defined by the Environment Agency’s Flood map for planning. Find out which Flood Zone your site is located in, by putting your postcode into the Environment Agency Flood Map.

If your Site is in Wales, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have their own Flood Zones. Three development advice zones (A, B, C) are described on their maps, which are attributed to different planning actions. Zones A and B are areas of generally low risk. Zone C represents the extreme flood outline, and is further subdivided into two zones, C1 and C2.

Zone C1: described as “areas of the floodplain which are developed and served by significant infrastructure, including flood defences.

Zone C2: described as “areas of the floodplain without significant flood defence infrastructure.

Essentially, if the Site is in a Flood Zone C1 or C2, this is the equivalent of the EA’s Flood Zone 3.

If your Site is in Scotland, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) rate flood risk by likelihood of flooding from Rivers, Surface Water and Coastal Flooding. These are divided into high, medium and low risk zones.

Where can I purchase a Flood Risk Assessment?

GeoSmart can provide such a Flood Risk Assessment, suitable for Sites within a Flood Zone 1. The assessment includes flooding from all sources.

Posted by Lily

Tags: flood risk, flood risk assessment, flood zone 1, flood zones

Share this Post
« Previous Post
Next Post »

Latest Articles

  • CPD webinar: Environmental Information for Masterplanning – 3rd February 2021
  • CPD webinar: Understanding SuDS – 20th January 2021
  • CPD webinar: Flood Risk Assessments: A Guide for Architects and Planners – 6th January 2021
  • Sales Executive – Environmental Reports – Vacancy
  • Environmental Consultant – Flood & Drainage – Vacancy

EnviroSmart Reports

View Contaminated Land Reports

FloodSmart Reports

View Flood Risk Assessments

SuDSmart Reports

View Sustainable Drainage Reports

See what our customers have to say...

"During the conveyancing process for my current house purchase, I was extremely concerned to find the general search results revealed the house was at 'moderate risk of groundwater flooding'. I was unable to get any further information from anyone until I contacted GeoSmart. The staff I spoke to were friendly, helpful, efficient and extremely knowledgeable. The information provided was very site specific and focused. The staff member who talked me through the information and maps provided was very knowledgeable, answered all my questions and allowed me plenty of time to discuss issues. Thanks to GeoSmart for their great service."
Linda Barton
"We were impressed by the speedy, well-informed service and personal contact that we received. The report was thorough and comprehensive. We will certainly use GeoSmart's services in the future"
Gregory Gray
Gregory Gray Associates
"I would like to say that dealing with GeoSmart was a seamless experience from beginning to end - thank you for that"
Martin Lloyd
Martin Lloyd Associates
"Everyone involved from initial approach to receipt of report was knowledgeable, efficient and focused"
Robert McCall
OeMO Ltd
"Great service! Extremely fast and the report was very detailed and well received by the planners. Many thanks GeoSmart, we will definitely use your services again"
Nigel Slack
Michael Eyres Partnership LLP
"The service was great, fast and efficient. Everyone we talked to was very helpful and the details were well received by the planners"
Ben Thorns
Solid Digital Marketing Ltd
"The service for a Phase 1 Contaminated Land Study was excellent, fast and efficient! GeoSmart were willing to assist despite the extremely tight timescale to work with. We will definitely consider using your services again"
Craig Roberts
Hunter Page
"Efficient and friendly service, GeoSmart provided a clear and concise report within the timescales advised. Great service and I would have no problem recommending"
Geraint Harris
Vitec Consult
"We are very pleased with the service provided by GeoSmart. Their reports have been used to assist with numerous planning applications and have always been delivered to budget and on-time, much to our clients’ appreciation. We look forward to working with GeoSmart on future projects"
Alan Gunne-Jones
Planning & Development Associates
"The service provided was efficient and friendly. From the first phone call to GeoSmart they provided a clear, professional approach to my request within the timescales advised. Great service and I would have no problem recommending"
John Childs
Private Developer
Find out more about how we can support you today!
Get in touch
Subscribe to our newsletter
© 2021 GeoSmart Information Ltd.

Suite 9-11, 1st Floor,
Old Bank Buildings,
Bellstone, Shrewsbury,
SY1 1HU

Company No. 5475394

Contact Us
Call 01743 298100
Email info@geosmartinfo.co.uk
Legal Links
  • Privacy Policy
  • CDM Regulations
  • Terms & Conditions
Website by Ascendancy Internet Marketing