Flood Risk Assessment Reports for Properties in Cornwall
Cornwall has a coastline that borders the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the English Channel to the south. The region’s hydrology is complex, with numerous rivers and streams flowing into the sea, often causing flooding in low-lying areas. The two main rivers that flow through Cornwall are the Tamar and the Camel. Other notable rivers in the region include the Fal, Fowey, and Helford.
According to the RoFRS_Properties At Risk report from the DEFRA, 1 in 6 properties is at risk of flooding in Cornwall. Around 5,000 properties are at risk of tidal flooding, 12,000 are vulnerable to river flooding, and 29,000 are exposed to surface water flooding.
The flood risk assessment cost is as follows:
Minor Development
From £650.00
Less than 9 dwellings. Industrial/office units smaller than 3,000 sqm
Major Development
From £1,850.00
More than 10 dwellings. Industrial/office units bigger than 0.5 Ha.
Strategic Development
£ on application
Infrastructure projects as part of strategic sites
First Report ready in 48 hours to validate your planning application
Our Clients
The flood risk of flooding in Conrwall
In Cornwall, there is a 1% annual probability of flooding from the river and a 0.5% annual probability of tidal flooding without considering the effectiveness of the flood defence structures.
In Cornwall, there are 180 towns, villages, or hamlets where 10 or more properties are at risk of flooding. Locations of towns and villages with 25 or more properties at risk of a 1% annual probability of river flood.
Locations in Cornwall with 25 or more properties at risk of flooding and with an annual probability of 1% river flood risk are the following.
- 500 to 1,000 properties at risk in Par/St Blazey and Penzance.
- 100 to 500 properties at risk in St Ives, Perranporth, St Austell, Hayle, Truro, Helston, Redruth, and Portreath have 100 to 500 properties at risk.
- 50 to 100 at risk of flooding in Penryn, Crowlas, and Falmouth
- Camborne has 25 to 50 properties at risk.
According to the latest Environment Agency Data, the percentage of properties at risk of flooding are as follows
1. High risk of flooding: 1.01%
2. Medium risk of flooding: 2.14%
3. Low risk of flooding: 0.77%
4. Very Low risk of flooding: 0.09%
5. Total risk of flooding: 4.01%
Our Experience in Conrwall
We have provided specific flood risk assessments and drainage strategies to address the challenges faced by our projects in Cornwall.
Questmap Business Park is a commercial development located in Penzance, Cornwall. The site includes a range of industrial and office buildings. Urban Water completed a flood risk assessment for Business Park to identify potential sources of flooding and evaluate the risk of flooding to the development.
Overall, the flood risk assessment completed by Urban Water for Questmap Business Park in Penzance, Cornwall helped to identify potential sources of flooding and evaluate the risk of flooding to the development. By recommending a range of mitigation measures, Urban Water was able to help reduce the risk of flooding and ensure the safety of the development and its occupants.
14 Old Foundry Close is a residential property in Nancherrow, a town on the south-west coast of Cornwall. The property is a detached house constructed from brick and render with a pitched tiled roof. The property owner is planning to construct an extension to the rear of the property. The extension will increase the property’s total floor area.
However, the property is situated within flood zone 3, considered a high-risk area for flooding from nearby rivers and the sea. The high-risk designation indicates that there is a one in 100 or greater chance of flooding from river or sea sources each year.
Additionally, the property is located near a number of local watercourses, including a river and a stream that flows through the surrounding area. These watercourses can quickly become overwhelmed during periods of heavy rainfall and cause surface water flooding in the local vicinity.
A flood risk assessment would be necessary to assess the potential risk of flooding to the proposed extension and the existing property.
The flood risk assessment took into account the topography and geology of the site, the potential sources of flooding, the likelihood and impact of flooding, and any potential mitigation measures that could be put in place to reduce the risk of flooding.
Other Flood Risk Projects
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Our Benefits
We will complete our first flood risk assessment within 48 hours, which will allow you to validate your planning application.
We support you during the planning application. Our reports are updated as needed.
We give you the best chance to get planning approvals.
We give you a fixed price on all flood risk assessments.
Our Flood Risk Assessment Process
We work with developers, architects, and planning consultants. We develop suitable flood protection.
We obtain your development details, such as drawings and survey levels.
We collect flood risk information for all sources of flooding.
We evaluate the flood risk information. It includes flood protection as required.
We consult the relevant statutory authorities and their appropriate approval.
Our Flood risk assessment assesses all flood sources. It complies with flood risk legislation at the planning stage. This will safeguard your development throughout its lifetime.
What Our Clients Say
Other Services
We provide cost-benefit river modeling for your developments that complies with the Environment Agency requirements.
Our specialised planning consultants work to produce compliant reports for local councils.
Drainage strategies comply with national guides and the lead local flood authorities.
Design of Green infrastructure and nature-based solutions to Zero Carbon.
Our Flood Maps
Our flood risk map tool determines the flood risk assessment for your development.
It has all of the relevant databases. You have all of the flood risk information at your fingertips. Use your postcode and zoom in to find your site.
Cornwall has a long history of flooding, with some areas particularly prone to such events. The county is surrounded by water on three sides, with many rivers and streams flowing through it. As a result, it is vulnerable to heavy rainfall and storm surges that can lead to widespread flooding.
Some areas that have experienced frequent flooding in Cornwall include Boscastle, Lostwithiel, and Looe. Boscastle, for example, was severely affected by the flood in 2004, which caused millions of pounds worth of damage. The village has since implemented flood defenses and improved emergency response measures.
The Cornwall flood risk map identifies areas most at risk of flooding. These include low-lying areas near the coast and rivers and areas with a high water table or are susceptible to surface water flooding. The map is regularly updated to reflect weather patterns and land use changes.
Today, flooding in Cornwall remains a significant risk. Heavy rainfall and high tides can cause rivers to overflow and lead to coastal flooding. In recent years, there have been several instances of flooding in Cornwall, including in 2014 when the village of Coverack was hit by flash flooding that caused extensive damage to properties and infrastructure.
Cornwall Council has implemented various measures to mitigate the impact of flooding, including constructing flood defences, improving drainage systems, and providing flood warnings to residents.
Check out this flood risk assessment map tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cornwall at risk of flooding?
Cornwall is at risk of flooding, particularly in low-lying areas close to rivers, streams, and the coast. This is because Cornwall has a long coastline exposed to storm surges and is also home to many rivers that can burst their banks during heavy rainfall.
In recent years, there have been several instances of flooding in Cornwall, including the widespread flooding in November 2010, which affected many homes and businesses in the county. The risk of flooding is likely to increase due to climate change.
What town flooded substantially in Cornwall?
Cornwall has experienced many flooding events over the years. One of the most devastating ones was in the Cornish village of Boscastle on August 16, 2004. The flooding was caused by heavy rain that led to two rivers bursting their banks and two billion liters of water rushing through the village. The flooding caused significant damage, including destroying residential and commercial infrastructure and erosion of river banks and pavements.
How often does Cornwall flood?
Like many coastal regions, Cornwall is susceptible to flooding from various sources, including high tides, heavy rainfall, and storm surges. The frequency of flooding can vary depending on several factors, i.e., weather conditions, location, and topography.
Cornwall Council recorded 261 internal floods between 2019-2020 alone, which is significantly higher than the previous year’s 33 floods.
How many homes in Cornwall are at risk of flooding?
The Environment Agency’s latest database reveals that in Cornwall, 12,376 properties face either a medium or high risk of flooding. Out of these, 3,061 properties in Cornish postcodes are at a high long-term risk, which means there is a 1 in 30 chance or greater that they will experience flooding within a year. Additionally, 9,315 properties are considered to be at medium risk, which means there is a chance of between 1 in 30 and 1 in 100 that they will experience flooding each year.
Will Cornwall be affected by climate change?
Climate change is likely to increase flood risk worldwide. Some areas situated in high flood risk regions are likely to experience even higher flood risks. Flooding in Cornwall is a real concern today, primarily due to the growing threat of climate change and rising sea levels. Climate change also has consequences for surface water flooding. A region like Cornwall, which is already prone to several flood risks, may experience an increased number of floods in the future due to climate change.
