Client: Residential Property Owner in Warwickshire.
Scheme: A demolition of a single-storey garage and construction of a new two-storey house.

The Challenge: Planning application for new dwelling in a flood zone.

A planning application was submitted for the demolition of a single-storey garage and the construction of a new two-storey dwelling in Warwickshire. This was located in Flood Zone 2, which is considered medium risk.

Due to its location within a flood zone, the clients needed a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) to assure the Local Planning Authority that the development could proceed safely and align with the National Planning Policy Framework guidance.

Our Approach: Delve into the data to assess the true risk of flooding.

Ashfield produced a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) in accordance with the latest local and national policies.

We compared the on-site topographical ground levels with Environment Agency (EA) flood model data, clearly showing that the development was outside the area of present-day fluvial (river) flood risk.

The FRA demonstrated that the development site was not currently at risk of flooding—integral for gaining planning approval from the local planning authority.

Outcome: Ashfield’s recommendations meant the client could build their new home.

Although flood risk was identified on-site, Ashfield provided effective recommendations to manage this risk in the future. These included raising the finished floor level to a minimum specified height above the design flood level. Consequently, planning permission for the development was granted, meaning our client could build their new home.