Sandy, Bedfordshire
Water Environment undertook an extensive hydraulic modelling exercise to reassess flood extents and provide a robust evidence base for reclassification of the site. This involved:
Client: Kier Property
Status: Planning Permission Granted
Services
Flood Risk Services
- Flood Risk Assessment (FRA)
- Sustainable Drainage Strategy
- Flood Defence (Mitigation) Strategy
- Flood Investigation
- Hydrology & Hydraulic Modelling
- Flood Emergency Plan
- Basement Impact Assessment (BIA)
- Groundwater Flooding
- Expert Witness
Environmental Services
- Nutrient Neutrality
- Flow & Water Quality Monitoring & Sampling
- River Geomorphological Survey & Assessment
- Water Framework Directive (WFD) Assessment
- Water Resources Assessment
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
- Air Quality Assessment (AQA)
- Catchment Management Plans
- Environmental Permits, Licences & Consents
- Expert Witness
Engineering Services
- Sewerage Design
- Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Design
- Landscape Amenity & Sport Facility Drainage
- Earthworks Design
- River Design
- Roads & Driveways
- Expert Witness
Project details
A series of technical meetings and negotiations with the Environment Agency; and
The updated modelling demonstrated that the site was not located within Flood Zone 3b as previously mapped, and should instead be classified as partially within Flood Zone 2.
Following acceptance of the modelling by the Environment Agency, Water Environment prepared a Flood Risk Assessment, Groundwater Risk Assessment, and Sustainable Drainage Strategy to support the planning application. The reclassification of the site to Flood Zone 2 made the development feasible, enabling the commercial scheme to progress. All technical submissions including the Flood Risk Assessment and SuDS strategy were accepted by the Environment Agency.
Prior to this correction, the inaccurate floodplain mapping had constrained a large area of strategic employment land within the District Council’s Local Plan. Acceptance of Water Environment’s modelling resolved these long‑standing issues and unlocked the site, contributing positively to local economic development.