Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs) are crucial for understanding whether a development or property is at risk from flooding and what can be done to manage that risk. They’re often required for planning applications, especially in areas identified as flood zones. We’ve compiled guidance, FAQs and Case Studies on Flood Risk Assessments.
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Also known as an FRA, a flood risk assessment is a key part of the site assessment and planning submission process and is required by the Local Planning Authority if the development will be situated in flood zones 2 or 3.
A Flood Risk Assessment is also mandatory for sites of 1 hectare or greater in Flood Zone 1, as well as for sites in a critical drainage area, sites at risk of surface water flooding, and where the long-term flood risk map shows the site is at increased risk of flooding from rivers or sea during its lifetime.
The main objectives of flood risk assessments are:
A suitable flood risk assessment will reveal whether a development can be constructed on site by determining whether the area lies in a flood zone and assessing the proposed site’s topography.
Fundamentally, the assessment will provide a detailed analysis of available data on the site’s flood risk and will produce recommendations for flood mitigation actions.
The assessment will equally demonstrate consideration of flooding from all possible sources which include:
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Our lowest tier of GeoSmart flood risk assessment is FloodSmart which is suitable for sites within a flood zone 1. This type of flood risk report can be delivered within 5-10 working days.
Our FloodSmart Plus and Floodsmart Pro reports are suitable for sites located in flood zones 2 and 3 and can be delivered within 20-30 working days.
We are required to request data from the Environment Agency which can take up to 20 working days to be provided.
At GeoSmart, we have three assessment options, all giving clear flood management options and fast delivery times to help you prepare to manage risks that may occur on developments.
FloodsmartIdeal for sites in Flood Zone 1
Floodsmart PlusIdeal for sites in Flood Zones 2 & 3
Floodsmart ProIdeal for sites in Flood Zones 2 & 3, with the addition of a site visit
Ideal for asset managers, insurers, housing associations, and lenders.
Flood risk assessments are intended for:
According to government guidance, flood risk assessments need to be undertaken in England if developments are located within flood zones 2, 3 or 3b.
A Flood Risk Assessment is also mandatory for sites of 1 hectare or greater in Flood Zone 1, as well as for sites in a critical drainage area, sites at risk of surface water flooding, and where the long-term flood risk map shows the site is at increased risk of flooding from rivers or sea during its lifetime.
For Welsh and Scottish sites, similar guidance applies.
In Wales, a Flood Consequence Assessment is required for any planning application in Wales where the site of the proposed development is located within a Flood Zone 2 or 3 as defined by the Flood Map for Planning.
In Scotland, according to section 42 of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009, flood risk assessments are required “where the application relates to a development that is likely to result in a material increase in the number of buildings at risk of being damaged by flooding.” The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) contains more information surrounding flood risk.
Flood zones describe areas which, to varying degrees, are more susceptible to flooding.
Designed to assess flood risk from all sources with clear mitigation measures.
Flood Consequence Assessments >
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I was concerned to find out that my house was at a ‘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…
I now purchase GeoSmart’s Groundwater Flood Risk maps regularly – always a very speedy response to the both the initial request and, more importantly, delivery of the data! Excellent customer service too. The data is clear and extremely useful for flood risk assessments.
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