Flood Risk Assessments & Drainage Strategies in Liverpool
Independent flood risk consultants serving Liverpool and surrounding areas. Planning-ready FRAs and SuDS drainage strategies from £295, delivered within 3–5 working days.
Flood Risk Assessments in Liverpool
Flood Risk Environmental provides Flood Risk Assessments, SuDS drainage strategies and detailed drainage design for planning applications across Liverpool and the wider Merseyside region.
Liverpool and Merseyside have significant tidal and fluvial flood risk, with coastal flooding from the Mersey Estuary and fluvial risk from the Rivers Alt, Mersey and Ditton. The 2015 and 2019 flooding events highlighted surface water flooding vulnerabilities. Merseyside LLFAs have detailed SuDS requirements, and the Environment Agency is an active consultee on tidal and fluvial matters.
Our reports are prepared by a qualified consultant with over 17 years' experience and written specifically to satisfy the requirements of Liverpool City Council and Merseyside Flood Risk Management as the Lead Local Flood Authority.
Services in Liverpool
- Flood Risk Assessments — from £295
- SuDS drainage strategies for planning
- Detailed SuDS and drainage design
- LLFA SuDS proforma completion (Merseyside Flood Risk Management)
- Sequential and Exception Test submissions
- S23 Ordinary Watercourse Consent
- EA Flood Risk Activity Permit applications
- LLFA drainage objection responses
Flood risk in Liverpool
Liverpool's flood risk is led by the tidal Mersey and the open coast of Liverpool Bay. The waterfront, docks and regeneration areas along the estuary sit within the tidal floodplain, so tidal levels — with climate-change and sea-level-rise allowances — and safe, resilient design are the central FRA issues for riverside sites.
Inland, the dense Victorian urban fabric and largely combined sewer network mean surface water flooding is a persistent problem, and many of the city's watercourses are culverted. New development must control its run-off through SuDS.
Liverpool City Council is the Lead Local Flood Authority. We prepare FRAs quantifying the Mersey tidal risk and drainage strategies that satisfy the council's requirements.
Local flood facts — Liverpool
- Main watercourses: River Mersey (tidal estuary) and Liverpool Bay
- Lead Local Flood Authority: Liverpool City Council
- Main flood sources: Tidal/coastal and surface water
- Key FRA consideration: Mersey tidal/coastal risk and dense urban surface water
When Do You Need a Flood Risk Assessment in Liverpool?
Planning applications in Liverpool require a Flood Risk Assessment in the following circumstances:
Development in Flood Zone 2 or 3
Any development in London's Flood Zone 2 or 3 areas requires an FRA. The LLFA will object to applications in flood risk areas without a robust FRA and drainage strategy.
Major Applications (10+ dwellings)
Major planning applications in Liverpool — 10 or more dwellings, sites over 0.5ha, or non-residential floorspace over 1,000m² — require an FRA in any flood zone.
Sites Over 1 Hectare in FZ1
Large sites in Flood Zone 1 may require an FRA if over 1 hectare, to demonstrate that drainage is adequate and runoff won't increase downstream flood risk.
LLFA Drainage Conditions
Where Merseyside Flood Risk Management has imposed a pre-commencement drainage condition, we prepare the detailed SuDS design package needed to satisfy the condition and secure approval.
LLFA Drainage Objections
If your Liverpool planning application has received a flood risk or drainage objection from the LLFA, we can review it and prepare a technical response to resolve it fast.
Change of Use
Converting commercial buildings to residential use in a flood risk area in Liverpool typically requires a new Flood Risk Assessment to confirm future occupiers will be safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trusted by Developers, Architects & Planning Consultants
★★★★★ 5.0 from 6 Google reviews
“Antony was great to work with when we needed a Flood Risk Assessment and Emergency Flood Plan. As an architect I would definitely use FRE Consultants again… his report went a good way in helping us get planning permission on a tricky site. Highly recommended.”
“Antony carried out my Flood Risk Assessment and has done a great job. My architect commented that the report was professionally drafted and very easy to follow. I highly recommend Antony's services.”
“Antony carried out a SuDS report for one of our projects and provided an excellent service throughout — quick to respond, clear communication, and a thorough, detailed report within the agreed timescale. We will certainly be using his services on all future projects!”
“Extremely helpful, prompt and friendly service carrying out a Flood Risk Assessment for a home project that required planning permission in a flood risk area… the price was reasonable and given up-front, and the final report was highly professional and exactly as required.”
“I had an extension completed on my house and needed a Flood Risk Assessment for planning. The service received was great and at a competitive cost. We were granted planning after first submission.”
“Nice and quick service. Recommend A++”
Need a Flood Risk Assessment in Liverpool?
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