A site-specific Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) is required in Ireland in accordance with the OPW document “The Planning System and Flood Risk Management” when the local authority considers there is a risk of flooding. Planning authorities will ensure that development is not permitted in areas of flood risk, particularly floodplains, except where the proposed development passes the sequential approach and, if necessary, a justification test.
Flood Risk Consulting offers three levels of FRA to satisfy the sequential approach and justification test and can advise which is most appropriate for your development.
FRA Level 1 – Flood Risk Identification
Assess any watercourse flooding or surface water issues which may require further investigation or confirm that the site is at low risk of flooding from all sources.
FRA Level 2 – Initial Flood Risk Assessment
Building on a Level 1 report, this report will appraise both flood risk at the site and the potential impacts of the proposed development on flooding elsewhere.
FRA Level 3 – Detailed Flood Risk Assessment
A Level 3 report is only undertaken if the previous stages determine the need for detailed analysis of the flood risk issues at the proposed development. A Level 3 FRA report may include hydraulic modelling of adjacent watercourses and consideration of proposed surface water drainage arrangements at the developed site.