FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT (FRA)
Meridian are experts in Flood Risk Assessment for all forms of development from residential extensions to commercial property.
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Contact us now to get a free quote for your Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) to support your planning application, or to support a site assessment.
WHAT IS A FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT?
A Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) is a document that reviews a development in its proposal form to assess it against the risk of flooding, whether that be from groundwater, river (fluvial), surface water (pluvial), estuary/coastal (tidal), or from sewer sources. It should also take the surrounding area into account and whether the development poses a flood risk to areas nearby. We use Environmental Agency data, information from local councils and other relevant 3rd party data to accurately predict flood risk to any site in the UK to a variety of different flood event possibilities.
WHO NEEDS A FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT?
As a planner, architect, property investor, property developer, or homeowner looking to extend, you ideally need to understand the potential risk of flooding at a location when designing, developing or purchasing a site or building. As part of developing the site you will need to consider how your site may affect potential flooding elsewhere in the community – especially if it sits within a known flood risk area.
If your site, or property, is within a flood risk area you man need to use flood mitigation measures to manage these risk for all stakeholders involved. It is important that you understand all of these aspects before you put in a planning application as it can materially affect the design or development proposals.
Whether for a residential or commercial site, a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) identifies these risks and mitigation measures for you. The Flood Risk Assessment to support a planning application is normally required to be specific to the nature of the proposed development.
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Check the government website for up to date information on which planning applications may require an FRA:
Flood risk assessments if you're applying for planning permission - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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If your development’s within an area designated as Flood Zones 2 and 3, or an area identified as having a surface water flooding problem, you’re also likely to need a drainage strategy. ​To check if your site is in Flood Zone 2 or 3, you can contact us or take a look at national flood maps here:
England: Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning​; Scotland: Scottish Environment Protection Agency flood maps; Wales: National Resources Wales flood risk map; Northern Ireland: Flood Maps (NI)
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OUR FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT SERVICES:
Our expertise increases your chances of planning application success.
Insurance. A flood risk assessment can provide an insurer with a site-specific risk assessment to help reduce insurance premiums or secure cover.
Business Continuity Portfolio Analysis and Due Diligence. Our reports can help you offset the adverse effects of flooding on your business and identify the most cost-effective flood prevention and reaction measures in your current property or a potential property that you are planning to relocate into, or purchase.
Environmental Accreditations & BREEAM. Our flood risk reports can be tailored for use in specific applications for national standard environmental accreditations using the BREEAM codes for commercial, new construction, and residential developments.
USE MERIDIAN CIVILS FOR YOUR FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT
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All Flood Risk Assessments undertaken by an ICE Chartered Civil Engineer. Many Local Councils require FRAs to be signed off by someone affiliated to the ICE or CIWEM.
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We are able to offer Surface Water Drainage Strategies.
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Level-for-level floodplain compensation
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Flood map challenge
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Evacuation plans
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Options appraisal studies