Flood Consequence Assessments

A Flood Consequence Assessment is required for any planning application in Wales where the site of the proposed development is located within a medium or high risk area of flooding. Such sites are considered to be at risk of flooding and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Welsh planning authorities have the power to challenge planning applications that have not taken into account all of the flood risks involved.

A Flood Consequence Assessment should demonstrate how a proposed development will manage flood risk from all possible water sources to the site in question. Changes in flood risk to off-site locations as a consequence of development should also be considered with recommendations provided to avoid increasing such risk.

Your site will be located in a Flood Zone as defined by Natural Resources Wales for planning purposes. To find out what Flood Zone your site is located in, input your postcode into the Development Advice Map available online.

• House builders and developers
• Property professionals such as architects, planning consultants and land agents
• Lawyers and solicitors
• Lenders, banks or mortgage providers
• Businesses
• Private individuals
• Insurance companies

• Validating planning applications
• Meeting planning conditions
• For land and property purchase
• For the sale or divestment of a site
• Due diligence
• Lending, mortgages, pension funds
• Business risk assessment

A FloodSmart Report for Sites located in a low risk area can be delivered in 5-10 working days.

Delivery of reports requiring NRW consultation and data (FloodSmart Plus and FloodSmart Pro) is dependent on their response times to supply such data, which can typically take up to 20 working days. Typically your flood risk report will be dispatched within 10 working days from receipt of the required data.

A premium delivery is available if your report is urgent – do get in touch and let us know.

Your report will be sent in electronic format as a .pdf file straight to your inbox, with hard copies available at an additional cost.

Welsh planning authorities are likely to request a Flood Consequence Assessment for any site which is situated on the modelled flood plain, and within the vicinity of a fluvial or tidal watercourse.

Flood Consequence Assessments are also requested in areas where there is a medium to high risk of surface water flooding.

Different levels of flood consequence assessment reports are required for different purposes. We’ve therefore developed a range of products which are suited to meet the various needs of our clients. If you’re not sure which level of report you need please contact us at enquiries@geosmartinfo.co.uk.