Flood Risk Assessments for Planning • All Flood Zones • England & Wales

Flood Risk Assessments for Planning Applications

Planning-ready FRAs from £295. 3–5 working day turnaround. Written to satisfy your LPA, LLFA and the Environment Agency at first submission.

FRAs from £295
3–5 day turnaround
All flood zones
Sequential & Exception Test
LLFA objection support

Flood Risk Assessments for Planning Applications

We deliver planning-ready FRAs that satisfy Local Planning Authorities, Lead Local Flood Authorities and the Environment Agency — so your application is not delayed by flood risk objections. Every FRA is tailored to your specific site and development, written to satisfy the NPPF, Planning Practice Guidance and your LLFA's standing advice.

With over 17 years' dedicated flood risk and drainage experience across all LPA areas in England and Wales, we know what planning officers and LLFA consultees need — and we write our reports to address those requirements directly. Our FRAs regularly achieve planning approval at first submission without LLFA objection.

Flood risk adjacent to residential development

What Is Included in Every FRA

Every flood risk assessment we produce covers all sources of flood risk and is tailored to your site, your development type, and the specific requirements of your local planning authority.

  • ✓  All flood sources assessed — fluvial, tidal, surface water, groundwater, sewer and reservoir flooding
  • ✓  EA flood map and detailed model interrogation — including Product 4, 5 and 6 data where applicable
  • ✓  Climate change assessment — latest EA allowances for your river basin district and vulnerability classification
  • ✓  Sequential Test compliance — evidenced and documented for all FZ2/3 applications
  • ✓  Exception Test support — where required, we prepare the full sustainability and safety case
  • ✓  Finished floor level recommendations — specific, achievable, and designed to satisfy your LPA
  • ✓  Safe access and egress assessment — all routes assessed for design flood plus climate change
  • ✓  Flood warning and evacuation guidance — compliant with PPG requirements
  • ✓  Outline surface water drainage strategy — where required by your LPA or LLFA
  • ✓  Flood resilience and resistance measures — practical, cost-effective recommendations

When Is a Flood Risk Assessment Required?

Not sure if you need one? Read our full guide or contact us for free advice.

Flood Zone 2 or 3

Any development in FZ2 or FZ3 requires an FRA regardless of size. The LLFA will object without a robust FRA and drainage strategy. FZ2/3 service →

Sites Over 1 Hectare in FZ1

Large FZ1 sites require an FRA to demonstrate drainage adequacy and that surface water runoff will not increase downstream flood risk.

Major Developments (10+ dwellings)

Major applications require an FRA in any flood zone — including residential sites over 0.5ha and non-residential floorspace over 1,000m².

Change of Use

Converting commercial to residential in a flood risk area requires a new FRA confirming future occupiers will be safe for the lifetime of the development.

Flood Consequence Assessment (Wales)

Developments in Wales in DAM B, C1 or C2 areas require an FCA under TAN15 2024. TAN15 / FCA service →

LLFA Drainage Objection

Received a flood risk or drainage objection? We review it and prepare a technical response to resolve it fast. Objection response →

Our Flood Risk Assessment Methodology

Every FRA follows a structured, evidence-led process designed to satisfy the NPPF, PPG and your LLFA's specific requirements.

01

Data Gathering

We interrogate all available flood risk data: EA flood maps, Product 4/5/6 model outputs, historic flood records, SFRA data, geology, topography and drainage records.

02

All Sources Assessed

Fluvial, tidal, surface water, groundwater, sewer and reservoir flooding are all considered. We assess probability, consequence and residual risk for each source.

03

Climate Change

We apply the latest EA climate change allowances for your specific river basin district, vulnerability classification and development lifetime — correctly, not over-conservatively.

04

Mitigation Design

Finished floor levels, flood resilience measures, safe access and egress routes and evacuation procedures are designed to be practical, achievable and cost-effective.

05

Sequential & Exception Test

Where your site is in FZ2 or FZ3, we document Sequential Test compliance and prepare the full Exception Test case where required.

06

Planning-Ready Report

Delivered within 3–5 working days, ready to upload to the planning portal. Written to address the specific concerns of your LPA and LLFA, not a generic template.

Why Choose Flood Risk Environmental?

Example FRA report cover — Flood Risk Assessment for Richmond Mansions, Putney SW15, prepared by Flood Risk Environmental

Flood risk specialists, not generalists. Unlike ecology or environmental consultancies that offer FRAs as one of many services, flood risk and drainage is all we do. That means deeper technical expertise, faster turnaround and reports that genuinely satisfy LPA and LLFA requirements first time.

17+ years' dedicated experience. We have delivered hundreds of FRAs across every LPA area in England and Wales, including complex FZ3b functional floodplain cases, tidal risk assessments and major residential Exception Test submissions.

Fixed-fee, transparent pricing. FRAs from £295+VAT for FZ1 sites. We provide a fixed quote before starting — no hourly rates, no scope creep, no surprises. See full pricing →

Fast turnaround without cutting corners. We typically deliver within 3–5 working days. Urgent next-day service is available for time-sensitive applications.

Full coverage, no travel costs. We cover all LPA areas across England and Wales. No additional charges for remote locations — the fee quoted is the fee you pay.

Who We Work With

  • ✓  Housebuilders and residential developers
  • ✓  Architects and architectural technicians
  • ✓  Planning consultants and agents
  • ✓  Land agents and property promoters
  • ✓  Commercial developers and occupiers
  • ✓  Individual homeowners and self-builders
  • ✓  Housing associations
  • ✓  Agricultural and rural landowners

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I need a Flood Risk Assessment?
An FRA is required for development in Flood Zone 2 or 3, sites over 1 hectare in FZ1, major development (10+ dwellings or over 0.5ha) in any zone, and change of use to a more vulnerable class in a flood risk area. Read our full guide →
How much does a Flood Risk Assessment cost?
From £295+VAT for standard FZ1 sites, from £395+VAT for FZ2/3. Fixed fee quoted within 24 hours. No hourly rates or scope creep. See full pricing →
How long does an FRA take?
3–5 working days for most sites. Urgent next-day service is available for time-sensitive planning applications. Turnaround is confirmed when we provide your quote.
Do you cover Flood Zone 3 and Exception Test sites?
Yes — including FZ3a, FZ3b functional floodplain, tidal flood risk, Sequential Test documentation and full Exception Test submissions. See our FZ2/3 service →
What data do you use in an FRA?
EA flood maps, Product 4/5/6 hydraulic model outputs, Flood Estimation Handbook (FEH22) data, historic flood records, SFRA data, geology maps and site-specific topographic data. We use the same datasets as the EA and LLFAs.
Can you respond to an LLFA flood risk objection?
Yes. We review objection letters, identify exactly what is needed and prepare a technical response. Objection response service →
Do you cover Wales and TAN15?
Yes. We prepare Flood Consequence Assessments (FCAs) for Welsh developments under TAN15 2024. TAN15 / FCA service →
Do I also need a drainage strategy?
Many LPAs and LLFAs require both an FRA and a surface water drainage strategy. We can provide both together or separately, often at a combined fee. SuDS drainage strategy service →

Trusted by Developers, Architects & Planning Consultants

★★★★★

“Antony was great to work with when we needed a Flood Risk Assessment and Emergency Flood Plan. As an architect I would definitely use FRE Consultants again — professional and produced reports within a good time frame.”

Arkhi Architects
Architect, England
★★★★★

“The service received was great and at a competitive cost. We were granted planning after first submission.”

Holly Addison
Homeowner
★★★★★

“Fast, technically thorough and understood exactly what the LLFA needed. Approved without any queries. Highly recommended for any flood risk or drainage work.”

Planning Consultant
East Midlands

Read more reviews →

Get a Free Quote

Free, no-obligation fixed-fee quote within 24 hours. All flood zones and LLFAs covered across England and Wales.

Get a Free Quote

Or contact us directly: 07826 705389  • 

Flood Risk Environmental

Flood Risk & Environmental Consulting • Independent Flood Risk, Drainage & Utilities Consultants

07826 705389  • 

Leicestershire, England • Covering all of England & Wales

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