“The council are asking me to perform a Flood Risk Assessment, but my property/development is in a flood Zone 1…”
It is a typical query we cope with amongst architects and planners, and one which could lead to unnecessary stress, especially in case you are not ready.
Historically, the flood risk Zone of yours will are the primary decider whether you required a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) or perhaps not. So, it is understandable to assume that this’s also the case.
Nevertheless, legislation has changed recently, and though we earlier had to look at the flood danger from all sources for websites in flood zone one, we’re currently being forced to offer flood danger assessment reports for site which have been highlighted by the LPA as actually being in danger from various other sources rather compared to Fluvial or perhaps Tidal.
In this particular blog post, we uncover the reasons the council are asking you for an FRA when the property of yours or maybe advancement is in a Flood Zone one.
Continue reading to discover out more…
The Drainage Infrastructure of yours Might be To Blame
If the website of yours is of one hectare or more and you are in a Flood Zone one, subsequently a FRA is necessary. Nevertheless, smaller sized websites in a Flood Zone one might call for a Flood Risk Assessment, especially in case you are in a location that is been highlighted by the Environment Agency as creating a crucial drainage condition.
What Does’ Critical Drainage Problem’ Mean?
Essential Drainage Areas (CDA) are particular parts in a Flood Zone one which were diagnosed with a drainage infrastructure that’s “at danger of failure”.
Regrettably, a lot of the drainage infrastructure of ours is ageing and looking for substantial replacing or maintenance, as highlighted by an evaluation Of The Arrangements For Determining Responsibility For Surface Water And Drainage Assets, 2020.
New developments run the danger of lowering the capability of the area to offer natural drainage, which boosts the chance of surface water runoff.
Thus, even in case your site/development isn’t in a space where flooding issues usually occur, the ageing water drainage infrastructure in the vicinity of the website that dos not possess the capacity to cope with extraordinary rainfall events because of climate change, and also improved urbanisation, might be the explanation why a Flood Risk Assessment is needed.
Some other Sources of Flooding We Assess During an FRA
In the intro, we pointed out we are being forced to look at the flood danger from all sources. By’ all sources’, we are talking about things like:
Tidal and fluvial (from the Sea) and also the Rivers
Reservoirs
Overland Flow/Surface Water
Groundwater
Foul and area water sewers
Websites Which are Partially In just a Flood Zone two or perhaps three
If with the website white line preparation boundary is within Zones two or perhaps three, the Council and Environment Agency will ask for that flood type information is contained in the FRA of yours.
Put simply, Flood Risk Assessments created for websites in just a Flood Zone one won’t appropriate for a website within Zones two or perhaps three.
What Flood Zone is The Site of mine In?
If the website of yours is in England, you are able to discover what Flood Zone you are in by inputting the postcode of yours in to the Environment Agency Flood Map.
Internet sites located in Wales have the own Flood Zones of theirs. They’re categorised as A, C and B, with places A and also B being usually small risk, whilst C belongs to the serious flood outline. Zone C is split into 2 zones: C2 and C1.
For all those in Scotland, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) establish the chance of flooding of rivers, coastal flooding and surface water, and also it’s split into high, minimal risk zones and medium.
Conclusion: Purchase Your Flood Risk Assessment Today
If the website of yours is in Flood Zone one and also you need a Flood Risk Assessment, do not wait to talk with a part of the staff. We are always pleased to assist you.