Experts in flood risk assessments and drainage strategies
Our flood risk & drainage division supports clients to achieve planning permission through the provision of Flood Risk Assessments/ Flood Consequence Reports and Foul and Surface Water Drainage Strategies, we have the capability to take these strategies to full detailed design and work with developers and contractors to provide construction level information to allow the development of the site.
With emphasis on sustainable drainage (SuDS), our Flood Risk and Drainage experts work alongside colleagues within our Landscape and Ecology teams to provide surface water drainage designs which are able to enhance the environmental offerings of a site, as well as providing solutions for surface water disposal.
Our consultants work with clients from initial appraisal stage to identify potential flood risk and drainage impacts at a site, to ensure that the proposals have the best chance of achieving planning permission right from the initial concept. This can include initial site appraisals, allowing for the zoning of sites and identifying areas of the site which may not be suitable for development, and where best to place drainage infrastructure. Our FRA reports will identify flood risks posed to the site, any mitigation measures to ensure that development remains safe for the projected lifespan, and to ensure that the proposals do not negatively impact on offsite areas but the enhance the water and drainage environment.
Flood Risk Assessments, and their Welsh equivalent, Flood Consequence Reports, are a planning application validation requirement for many planning applications.
Land within England falls within three possible Flood Zones: Flood Zone 1, 2 and 3, with 1 being the lowest risk of fluvial (river) flooding and 3 being the highest. All planning applications which include land falling outside of Flood Zone 1 or are over 1ha in area will require a Flood Risk Assessment as part of the planning submission. Depending on the nature and scale of the proposed development, this could range from a simple letter report to a full detailed report, supported by site inspections and drainage modelling work.
As well as fluvial flooding, our reports will look at flood risk from all sources, including surface water, tidal, groundwater and artificial sources (sewers, reservoirs etc). We will assess the development proposals to ensure that the drainage of the proposed development is adequately considered to ensure that surface water is managed within the site boundary and that flood risk to offsite areas is not increased as a result of the proposals.
Where a Flood Risk Assessment is not required, Sustainable Drainage (SuDS) Strategies or Foul and Surface Water Drainage Strategies are often requested as part of a planning application submission. These are similar to Flood Risk Assessments but focus more on the potential for a development to increase the flood risk elsewhere if drainage is not safely and sustainably managed.
Our strategies are developed to meet the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and specific local guidance to ensure that surface water is disposed of in line with the nationally recognised drainage hierarchy. Our consultants are experienced in liaising with Sewer Authorities, Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFA) and SuDS Approving Bodies (SABs) in Wales and the Environment Agency to agree the drainage design criteria to be used at specific development sites.
As well as providing drainage strategies for initial planning applications, Brindle & Green are able to provide detailed drainage designs suitable for both detailed planning application, discharge of planning conditions and for construction. Our drainage design work includes the provision of drawings, calculations, hydraulic modelling and reporting. We are able to work with clients to liaise on their behalf with contractors, statutory consultees and sewerage undertakers to ensure a smooth process for approval and construction of the project.
Kimberley joins us as our new Health & Safety Officer and has a strong background in keeping people safe under pressure and understands the importance of proactive, practical safety measures.
We’re delighted to welcome Daria Madders to the Brindle & Green team as she steps into the head of landscape role and brings with her fresh energy, ambition, and a desire to make a real impact.
We’re excited to welcome Eddie to the Brindle & Green contracting team as our newest Contracting Technician.