Last edited 15 Jan 2021

Flood risk assessment

[edit] Introduction

A flood risk assessment is required for most developments within one of the flood zones.

This includes developments that are:

In flood zone 2 or 3 including minor development and change of use.
More than 1 hectare (ha) in flood zone 1.
Less than 1 ha in flood zone 1, including a change of use in development type to a more vulnerable class (for example from commercial to residential), where they could be affected by sources of flooding other than rivers and the sea (for example surface water drains, reservoirs).
In an area within flood zone 1 which has critical drainage problems as notified by the Environment Agency.

It is not necessary to carry out a flood risk assessment for a development that is less than 1 ha in flood zone 1 unless it could be affected by sources of flooding other than rivers and the sea, for example surface water drains.

You can find out more at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/flood-risk-assessment-for-planning-applications

[edit] Home Quality Mark

For the purposes of the Home Quality Mark, a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) or Flood Consequence Assessment (FCA) is defined as:

A study to assess the risk of a site flooding, and to assess the impact that any changes or development on the site will have on flood risk to the site and elsewhere.

A FRA should be prepared according to relevant planning policy and technical guidance documents. The FRA must account for future climate change and detail any necessary adaptation measures where or if required.

Where more than five years have passed since the FRA was carried out, evidence would be required to demonstrate that the basis of the FRA has not changed in that time.

Ref Home Quality Mark One, Technical Manual SD239, England, Scotland & Wales, published by BRE in 2018.