What Is a Flood Risk Assessment? How to Make It Work
A Flood Risk Assessment evaluates flood risks to a development site and determines mitigation measures. A properly executed FRA can streamline planning and maximise development potential.
A Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) evaluates the flood risks to a proposed development site and determines appropriate mitigation measures. Rather than being an unnecessary expense, a properly executed FRA can deliver significant returns by streamlining the planning process and maximising development potential.
Definition and Scope
An FRA reviews three primary aspects: flood risk to the development site, how proposals align with flooding risks, and protective mitigation strategies. The assessment covers multiple flooding sources including groundwater, surface water, river, tidal, and sewer-related flooding. A comprehensive evaluation considers the development’s lifetime, incorporates climate change projections, and assesses whether the project increases flooding risks to surrounding areas.
Why It Matters
In the UK, approximately “1 in 6 properties are at risk of flooding,” with this proportion expected to increase. Developments fall within designated Flood Zones (1, 2, 3a, or 3b), and certain circumstances trigger mandatory FRA requirements, including:
- Location in Flood Zone 2, 3a, or 3b
- Placement in critical drainage areas
- Exposure to surface water flooding
- Evidence of historic flooding
- Groundwater flood risk or source protection zone concerns
Professional Approach
Aegaea’s specialists employ Environment Agency data, local flood authority information, sewerage undertaker records, and expert-generated datasets to comprehensively evaluate flood risks. The completed assessment becomes integral to planning applications, making professional expertise essential for development success.