Focusing on Flood Problems in Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne and the wider Tyneside region present a unique and complex landscape when it comes to managing environmental risk. The city’s history and geography are inextricably linked to the River Tyne – a dominant feature that, while vital to commerce and culture, also carries inherent flood risk. As a coastal region with extensive and often steep terrain, Newcastle faces hazards from multiple sources, including tidal surges, surface water runoff, and fluvial flooding from the river and its tributaries.
The North East is also subject to increasing pressures from extreme weather events. Developers must look beyond historical data and plan for resilience against the future effects of climate change. For any proposed development within this area, understanding and mitigating these risks through a professional flood risk assessment (FRA) is paramount for public safety and project success.
Importance of Flood Risk Concern for Newcastle Planning
To protect property, people and the environment, the local planning authority requires that all new development is sustainable and safe from flooding for its entire lifetime. An often mandatory part of the planning process, a flood risk assessment (FRA) can help, providing technical certainty and peace of mind by scientifically evaluating a site’s flood vulnerability.
An FRA determines if your project falls into one of the designated flood zones and assesses the potential for flooding from all sources. By addressing the risk up front, you demonstrate due diligence to the LPA and streamline the approval process. Ultimately, commissioning an expert flood risk assessment is a smart and cost-effective investment that protects your project and allows your development to move forward successfully.
Overview of the Flood Risk Assessment Stages
Our flood risk assessment methodology is designed to be comprehensive, ensuring that all requirements of the planning system and the Environment Agency (EA) are satisfied. Whenever a client books in with one of our team to carry out a flood risk assessment on a site, we work quickly to manage the turnaround time without sacrificing the quality or detail of your documentation.
Our process starts with an initial consultation where a flood risk consultant assesses your plans and site location. We determine if your project is classified as being part of minor developments or a larger scheme, gauge if it sits within one of the local flood zones, and decide whether it is covered by a strategic flood risk assessment for the region. We then move into detailed data acquisition, utilising all available hydrological information to produce robust FRA reports.
If any sort of flood risk is identified, our analysis focuses on developing site-specific mitigation measures, including recommending sustainable water management solutions to ensure the proposed development does not increase flood risk elsewhere. We expertly weave all findings and recommendations into your final FRA reports that the local planning authority can immediately review and trust. With everything they need to grant planning consent, the flood risk assessment report will be fundamental to future stages of your development.
Reasons for Choosing Arbtech for FRAs
We specialise in taking complex environmental data and translating it into clear and actionable advice for developers in the Newcastle area. The reports we make after a flood risk assessment has been completed are built on a solid foundation of local knowledge combined with national regulatory expertise.
For instance, we understand the importance of a local focus and the need to cater to planning requirements specific to the Tyne ranges and surrounding areas. Based on the information we can find during a prior desk study, we can quickly and efficiently identify which developments are likely to trigger the need for a flood risk assessment.
We also ensure that even if your site is shown to be at low risk, the supporting documentation is thorough enough to satisfy all regulatory demands. On top of that, every time we create a report from a flood risk assessment, we make sure that it is technically precise and includes all necessary terminology, leaving no stone unturned.
Ask For a Report Based on Your Site
With certain developments, a flood risk assessment will be needed, and without it, your development will be lacking, the local authority won’t be happy, and you won’t be able to get your planning application accepted. Even as a precautionary measure, it would be advisable to speak to our team about the possibility of arranging a flood risk assessment if it’s needed, as it would prevent issues further down the line and show how intent you are on planning the right way.
If you think you’re ready to take the next step in securing planning permission for your project, don’t let uncertainty about flood zones and the possible impact of extreme weather events slow you down. With the help of our team, you can get a quick and accurate quote for a flood risk assessment, and if you’re happy with it, we can arrange a date with you to support your development and get your planning application accepted by the local authority.
Request a free quote today for your flood risk assessment, and ensure you give us as much information as possible, as it gives us a better chance of correctly estimating your quote for a flood risk consultant to visit your site. Simply fill out our quick contact form on our website, call us directly or send us an email, and we will be in touch shortly to discuss your needs and get the ball rolling on conducting a flood risk assessment and moving your planning project ahead.
