The UK Government’s Planning Policy Statement
requires planning authorities and developers to consider flood risk
as a vital component of planning consent for new developments, and
in the management of residential, commercial and industrial land
use.Mott MacDonald provides advice and support to developers
in meeting their obligations under the UK Government's Planning
Policy Statement 25 (PPS25): Development and Flood Risk (SPP7 in
Scotland, and TAN15 in Wales).
We've assisted developers in preparing planning applications for
commercial, industrial and residential developments for many years.
We've also advised insurance companies on flood risk for insured
assets, and are experienced in liaising with the Environment
Agency, SEPA and local planning authorities.
Developments can be at risk of flooding from many sources,
including extreme rainfall and tides, from rivers, rising
groundwater, and from inadequate drainage systems. Mott MacDonald
helps identify the risk from all of these through our comprehensive
Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) services.
Site specific flood risk assessments
We understand that each development is different, and therefore, we
provide a tailored service to suit the needs of a particular site;
our services have ranged from advice on single properties to a
detailed assessment of a development of 10 000 homes. For small
developments, a flood risk assessment may be limited to a walk over
inspection, review of historic maps and Environment Agency data,
and a basic desktop assessment. For larger developments, full
hydrological analysis together with river and storm water drainage
system modelling may be required. Such assessments might also
include flood embankment breach analysis, flood defence condition
inspections and coastal erosion assessments. No matter what the
size, we work with our clients to ensure they satisfy local
planning and Environment Agency or SEPA requirements, without
complication and in a timely manner.
Mitigation
We are experienced in the design and construction of flood
mitigation works for highways, railways, housing, commercial and
industrial developments, including sustainable urban drainage
systems (SUDS) and integrated urban drainage (IUD), flood defences,
balancing ponds, flood compensation areas, conveyance systems and
outfalls.
Our services
- Advice on, and development of, mitigation measures
- Assessment of planning constraints
- Consultation
- Design of mitigation works
- Environmental impact assessment and appraisal
- Expert witness
- Flood risk assessment
- Flood risk mapping
- Hydraulic modelling of river, coastal and urban drainage
systems
- Hydrological analysis
- Master planning
- Overtopping and breach calculations
- Water flow studies
