If you are planning a development project in an area that is prone to flooding, you may need to conduct a flood risk assessment (FRA) or a sustainable drainage system (SuDS) report as part of your planning application.
But what are the differences between these two types of reports, and how do you know which one you need? In this blog post, we will explain the basics of flood reports and SuDS reports, and help you decide which one is suitable for your project.
What is a flood report?
A flood report is a document that assesses the risk of flooding from various sources, such as rivers, the sea, surface water, reservoirs and groundwater, to your proposed development site. It also identifies the potential impacts of flooding on your development and the measures you can take to reduce or manage the flood risk.
A flood report is required for all development projects that are:
- within flood zones 2, 3 or 3b
- within flood zone 1 with a site area of 1 hectare or more
- within areas with critical drainage problems
- within flood zone 1 where the local planning authority’s strategic flood risk assessment (SFRA) shows it will be at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea in future
- that increase the vulnerability classification and are in flood zone 1 where the local planning authority’s SFRA shows it is at risk from other sources of flooding
You can check the flood zone and the flood risk of your site using the 'flood map for planning service'. You can also contact the Environment Agency, the lead local flood authority or the internal drainage board for more information about flood risk in your area.
A flood report should include the following information:
- a site plan showing the location, boundaries, and layout of the proposed development
- a description of the existing and proposed land use, drainage, and flood defence systems
- a summary of the flood sources, probability, and consequences for the site and the surrounding area, based on the available data and site investigations
- an assessment of the potential impacts of climate change on the flood risk
- an evaluation of the suitability and effectiveness of the proposed flood risk management measures, such as flood resistance, resilience, evacuation, and warning
- a justification of the development in terms of the sequential and exception tests, if applicable
- a statement of the residual flood risk and the emergency response plan
You can take a look at the flood reports we have available or even order directly on our interface.
What is a SuDS report?
A SuDS report is a document that assesses the feasibility and design of a sustainable drainage system (SuDS) for your proposed development site. A SuDS is a system that manages surface water runoff as close to its source as possible, by mimicking the natural drainage processes and reducing the peak flows entering the rivers, the sea, and the sewers. A SuDS can also provide environmental, ecological, and social benefits, such as improving water quality, enhancing biodiversity, and creating amenity spaces.
A SuDS report is required for all major development projects in England and for some minor development projects where the lead local flood authority requests it. A major development is defined as one that involves:
- 10 or more dwellings or a site area of 0.5 hectares or more for residential development
- a building or buildings with a floor space of 1,000 square metres or more or a site area of 1 hectare or more for non-residential development
A SuDS report should include the following information:
- a site plan showing the location, boundaries, and layout of the proposed development and the SuDS features
- a description of the existing and proposed land use, drainage, and flood defence systems
- a summary of the surface water runoff characteristics and the drainage requirements for the site and the surrounding area, based on the available data and site investigations
- an assessment of the potential impacts of climate change on the surface water runoff and the drainage capacity
- an evaluation of the suitability and effectiveness of the proposed SuDS features, such as infiltration, attenuation, conveyance, and treatment
- a justification of the SuDS design in terms of the national and local SuDS standards and the planning policy
- a statement of the maintenance and management arrangements and the responsibilities for the SuDS features
You can take a look at the SuDS reports we have available or even order directly on our interface.
Which one do you need?
The answer to this question depends on the nature and location of your development project, and the requirements of your local planning authority. In general, you will need a flood report if your site is in an area with a high risk of flooding from any source and a SuDS report if your site is a major development or if your local planning authority requests it. However, some sites may need both types of reports, depending on the specific circumstances.
To find out which type of report you need, you should consult the relevant planning policy and guidance, such as the National Planning Policy Framework, the Planning Practice Guidance and SFRA of your local planning authority.
How can CentremapsLive help you?
CentremapsLive is a provider of flood risk assessment and SuDS reporting services in the UK. Our suppliers have teams of experienced and qualified engineers and consultants who can help you with all aspects of your flood and drainage reports, from data collection and analysis to design and implementation. We have access to suppliers, who have the latest technology and software to produce high-quality and cost-effective reports that meet the planning and regulatory standards. We also offer a range of other services, such as topographic surveys, utility mapping and GIS solutions, to support your development project.
If you are interested in our services or if you have any questions about flood reports and SuDS reports, please contact us . We will be happy to discuss your project, provide you with a free quote and a sample report.
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