When You Need and When You Don’t Need Flood Risk Assessments?

Flood risk assessments help owners and engineers understand whether their site lies in a flood risk zone and take measures to minimise the risk of flooding. If you want to start a project in an area that is in a flood zone, is a flood risk area, or is located within 20 meters of a river, you will need an FRA report to get planning permission.

Topographical surveys are performed on the proposed development site to prepare the FRA report. You are required to submit the report along with your planning proposal. But you may not need this report at a number of times.

 

This blog talks about the occasions when you will need and when you will not need flood risk assessments—

 

When You Need FRAs

 

·       If the area of your construction site is 1 hectare or more, then you will need to submit the FRA report to get approval for your project planning.

·       If the area is smaller, but the development site is located in Flood Zone 2 or 3

·       If the site is smaller than 1 hectare and is in Flood Zone 1, and there is a change of use proposed.

·       If the development area is smaller than 1 hectare and is in Flood Zone 1, there is a risk of flooding not because of the river or sea but because of on-site water drain systems.

 

When You Don’t Need FRAs

 

·       If the development area is smaller than 1 hectare and is in Flood Zone 1.

 

Before FRA, you might need a sequential test that steers development to land areas or zones with the lowest flood risk. It is required for major and minor developments that are in Flood Zones 2 and 3 or are in Flood Zone 1 with a possibility of flooding during their lifetime.

 

However, for a detailed report, you will need to hire a professional for topographical surveys of your land area or proposed construction site.