Flood Risk and Drainage Assessment Yorkshire

Flood Risk and Drainage Assessment Yorkshire

Unda has considerable experience in providing Flood Risk and Drainage Assessment reports for clients based in Yorkshire and the surrounding towns and villages across East Riding, North Yorkshire, York, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire.

We support an array of property professionals including; architects, planning consultants, farmers, landowners and prospective homeowners.  By offering the complete package, we can negotiate with the Environment Agency and Local Planning Authorities in order to secure planning approval for any development and insurers to reduce insurance premiums.

For more information or to get a quote for a Flood Risk Assessment contact us or use the form on the right of the the page.

The purpose of this page is to bring together some of the information available regarding flooding and drainage across Yorkshire. This includes planning information, emergency contact details as well as where to get help and also historic flood information.

Yorkshire Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

In response to the 2008 report by Sir Michael Pitt, ‘lessons learnt from the 2007 floods’, the government introduced the Flood and Water Management Act (2010) (FWMA). The act gave county councils and unitary authorities a new leadership role (and the new title, ‘lead local flood authority’) in local flood risk management, designed to work closely with a new national leadership role for the Environment Agency (EA).

One of the main recommendations was that local authorities should play a major role in the management of local flood risk. One of the duties given to lead local flood authorities (LLFAs) is the development of a flood risk strategy for their governed area (described in the legislation as a ‘local strategy’).

The strategy is a legal document which provides a framework for addressing flood risk across the county. The development, maintenance, and implementation, of a strategy for the management of local flood risk are statutory duties for the LLFA under the FWMA.

Yorkshire has 3 LLFa’s namely, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and York Unitary Authority.

North Yorkshire County Council

North Yorkshire County Council is a lead Local Flood Authority and has a legal duty under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 to “develop, maintain, apply and monitor” a flood risk management strategy. North Yorkshire County Council has now produced a local flood risk management strategy which provides a clear vision about how flood risk will be dealt with.

The council have just undertaken a consultation process (which closed on 17th December 2014) for which it sorts the views of the people of North Yorkshire on their local flood risk management strategy.  A final strategy for consideration by the council’s executive will be presented in early 2015.

East Riding of Yorkshire

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is one of the authorities, along with the Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Board and local water companies that sit on the Flood Risk Strategy team, whose responsibility is to direct and coordinate the way in which the council reduces and manages the risk of flooding within the East Riding.

The team’s primary responsibilities are to prepare and monitor the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, build and maintain the Flood Risk Asset Register and manage the council’s programme of flood and coastal erosion risk management work.

The council is also responsible for preparing a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) which sets out how we can manage the risk of flooding from ‘local’ sources. More information is available on the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy page.

In addition, the council has produced a Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment that gives an overview of flood risk across the East Riding and highlights where there is a significant risk of flooding from surface water (flooding caused by heavy or prolonged rainfall).

There is also a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for land use planning purposes that contains detailed flood risk maps and advice about what types of land uses may not be suitable in certain locations due to flood risk and where flood risk mitigation measures may be needed to make a development safe.

City of York Council

Working with key partners including the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water, City of York Council have created a draft Local Flood Risk Management strategy. The strategy went out to a six-week consultation from Wednesday the 5th of November until Wednesday the 17th of December 2014. Officers are now collating the responses which will be made public in due course.

The development of the strategy follows severe floods in 2007 across UK, including York, which affected over 55,000 homes and businesses causing over £3billion worth of damage across the UK.

The strategy is a legal document which provides a framework for addressing flood risk and links to existing key information in six guidance documents. The development, maintenance and implementation of a strategy for the management of local flood risk are statutory duties City of York Council as a lead local flood authority under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

Following this consultation the Strategy will be finalised and then fully reviewed in line with the six year Flood Risk Regulations Cycle and any revisions will be considered following new data or real event information, it is intended that changes and updates to the individual guidance notes (sections 3-8) would be agreed and endorsed through the relevant committee, scrutiny or member decision making session, any changes or updates to the Policy Framework or Strategic Action Plan would be brought to Cabinet for approval.

Protecting Yorkshire from Flood Risks

Parts of Yorkshire have experienced a number of devastating floods over the last few years. Finally in December 2014, protecting the communities from the effects of flooding had been recognised, with the government announcing £266 million to be earmarked to protect homes and businesses across Yorkshire and north of the Humber.

Schemes funded in the first two year construction phase in Yorkshire and north of the Humber include:

  • Leeds flood alleviation scheme: a partnership project, led by Leeds City Council, which will reduce the risk of flooding in the economic heart of the city, protecting over 50 homes and 154 businesses.
  • Willerby and Derringham flood alleviation scheme in West Hull. A partnership project led by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, which will see the creation of a series of lagoons for rainwater along the Great Gutter Valley to the west of Hull. When complete, the scheme will reduce flooding to over 8,000 properties.
  • On the Humber estuary £80 million will be spent on a range of projects. These form part of the continual and ongoing programme of investment as set out in the Humber Flood Risk Management Strategy.

East Yorkshire Council are planning to spend £4.5m to improve drainage and reduce flood risk in Hull and the East Riding over the next six years. The Council are looking for the owners of the vessels, some of which have been there 10 years and more than 50 years old. Around 20 sunken and abandoned boats on the River Hull  pose a flood risk, it has been claimed. It created a 3-D “fly-through” video of the sunken and abandoned vessels between Beverley and Hull Bridge.

River Hull Sunken Vessel 3D fly-through

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfV2AL1xxzg

Flood warning service for Yorkshire

The official GOV.UK website, in conjunction with the Environmental Agency, offers a live flood warning service and five day forecast.

Lead local flood authorities are responsible for managing the risk of flooding from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses and lead on community recovery, including making sandbags available to those that need them.

Other real time information available on monitoring local river levels, river flow rates and groundwater levels is available from Shoothill.

Emergency flood contacts in Yorkshire

If there is a flood

Important telephone numbers & Twitter feeds

  • North Yorkshire County Council – Emergency contact during office hours: 01609 534527 Twitter feed at @northyorkscc.
  • East Riding of Yorkshire – Emergency contact during office hours: out of hours information on highways or flooding. Twitter feed at @East_Riding
  • York Unitary Authority – Emergency contact during office hours 01904 551550. Twitter feed at @CityofYork

Reporting Problems:

  • If you smell gas call British Gas on 0800 111 999
    If you spot a hazard or potential hazard with an overhead transmission power cable call the National Grid on 0800 404 090. For homes or businesses contact your distributor.

Call For Your Free Quote Now

Jackie Stone - Unda Flood Consultant

If you need a quote or to discuss your requirements in more detail contact Jackie Stone, one of our experienced Flood Risk Consultants.

Call 01293 214444

 

Or Fill Out The Form Below

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If You Are Flooded Contact:

  • West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service 0113 387 4350 for non-emergency situations including the pumping of properties in the Bradford, Calderdae, Kirkless, Leeds and Wakefield Districts.

Fire Fighters from West Yorkshire turn out to assist residents of Victoria close Allerton Bywater west Yorkshire when Flooding threatened a sheltered housing complex.  After the latest flooding on the 8th August 2014 the Parish Council have been in touch with our Ward Councillors and Kippax Housing office.  There is now a supply of sandbags being kept in the village that the Parish Council has immediate access to in the future.

Advice from West Yorkshire follow this advice when your area is hit by flood. – https://youtu.be/AbVaIcwNqc0

  • North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service 01609 780150. Provide an emergency response service to flooding in the York, Harrogate, Scarborough, Thirsk, Ripon, Grassington, Tadcaster, Selby areas.
  • South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service 0114 272 7202 for non-emergency situations including the pumping of residential or commercial buildings.
  • Humberside Fire and Rescue Service Tel: 01482 565333  In the event of major flooding in the county, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service works closely with other agencies to deliver a coordinated approach to the operation. It should be noted, The Humberside Fire and Rescue Service may not always be able to help in the event of a flood. A fire crew will not be automatically be sent.
  • The Citizens Advice Bureau may be able to offer advice on obtaining money in an emergency and dealing with insurance companies (contact your local office)
  • The Highways Agency is responsible for major roads in the UK this includes the A1 (M) in Yorkshire. For further information on the roads the Highways Agency is responsible for please visit the Highways Agency Or alternatively to report a flooded road online click here.

Impact of flooding on people and the economy of Yorkshire.

Flooding has a significant impact on the people and economy of Yorkshire.  While it is not possible to prevent all possible local flooding, the relevant authorities, local communities and businesses can work together to reduce the risk and minimise the damage it can cause.

Garforth Flood Support Group

Garforth Flood Support Group (GFSG) exists to support and help people living in Garforth and Swillington, near Leeds in West Yorkshire, who have flooded, are flooding or see themselves at risk of flooding. While Garforth is not at risk from coastal or river flooding but from surface water flooding, something that could affect almost everyone.  GFSG aims to raise awareness of the dangers of flooding in such an area and to instruct people how to act in the event of heavy rainfall and possible flooding. GFSG has an ongoing programme of events in the hopes of funding supportive works and flood resilience projects. More can be found out about the group here.

Flood Support UK

Flood Support UK provides information to help people to prepare for, work through and recover from flooding in the United Kingdom. They provide advice about the steps to take preparing for a flood; dealing with a flood; and cleaning up after a flood. We have useful guide on types of flooding in the UK; assessing the risk of home flooding; how to know if a flood is coming; ways to prevent home flooding; social media links and a creating a personal flood plan.

National Flood Forum (NFF)

The National Flood Forum (NFF) is a national charity dedicated to supporting and representing communities and individuals at risk of flooding. We do this by:

  1. Helping people to prepare for flooding in order to prevent it or mitigate its impacts
  2. Helping people to recover their lives once they have been flooded
  3. Campaigning on behalf of flood risk communities and working with government and agencies to ensure that they develop a community perspective.

The NFF works with government, agencies and local authorities on issues such as flood risk insurance, property level protection and recovery to ensure that the needs of flood risk communities are represented

The NFF also provides a strong and independent voice that represents the interests of people affected by flooding. This includes working closely with national and local government agencies, flood protection companies and the insurance industry, as well as flood action groups to ensure that the views and issues of those at risk of flooding are taken into account when decisions are made.

Local Government Association – Flood Risk Portal

With increasing flood risk, there are significant challenges for local authorities in helping communities to achieve sustainable economic growth. The Flood Risk Portal is a resource which was set up during the winter 2013 floods by the Local Government Association, with the aim to keep member councils up-to-speed with developments during extreme weather events.  This website is an excellent resource for anyone who is effected by flooding.

If you would like your forum or community group to be added to our page please contact Unda Consulting at enquiries@unda.co.uk.

History of flooding in Yorkshire.

In recent history the worst floods to hit the UK were probably held to be the floods of 1947. There had been a lot of heavy snowfall in this year which underwent a sudden and unexpected thaw and extremely heavy rain. This resulted in widespread flooding across the UK with many rivers breaking their banks. Flooding occurred all over the country with the Fens, the Midlands, East Anglia, the South and parts of Yorkshire most badly hit. In the 1950s the East Coast of the UK was also badly hit when high winds and North Sea surges flooded this coastal area.   Until recent years floods seemed to be isolated incidents.   In 2007 some of the worst flooding in modern history occurred in Yorkshire where floods caused significant damage. This flooding is held to be at a similar level – if not worse – than the great floods of 1947.

How Unda can help?

If you’re looking to purchase a new home which is at the top end of the market, planning a development or operate a business in Yorkshire you may have been advised to undertake a Flood Risk Assessment.

Flood Risk Assessments are under taken for one of the following reasons:

  1. Planning – If you are a planning consultant or property developer, you may be required by law to conduct an FRA for the site you are planning to develop on.
  2. Property – If you are a home buyer, you may have been advised by your conveyancer to seek an FRA.
  3. Insurance – If you have been refused home insurance on flood risk grounds or if your home has been identified by your insurance company as being at high-risk of flooding, you may need an FRA.
  4. Business Continuity Management – Assessing flood risk to existing and potential new locations for your business may be important for compliance, health & safety, insurance and infrastructure security reasons.

Useful links for planning and specific flood requirements:

In addition there is a strategic flood risk assessment which needs to be consulted for planning purposes. It forms the basis for preparing flood risk management policies and helps identify suitable locations for minerals and waste developments. The aim is to assess plans whose implementation may have a significant impact on flooding and flood risk, preventing unsuitable development in areas at risk, and directing development away from areas at highest risk.

The North Yorkshire strategic flood risk assessment is nearing completion and will shortly be published to inform the minerals and waste joint plan.

  • City of York Council – phone: 01904 551553 or email: enquiries@york.gov.uk
  • East Riding of Yorkshire Council – phone: (01482) 395656 or email: LLFA@eastriding.gov.uk

In addition to the strategic flood risk assessment which needs to be consulted for planning purposes.  There are requirements for surface water drainage on new developments.

From April 2015 the requirements for design of surface water drainage on new developments were strengthened. Changes to planning legislation requires the Local Planning Authority to consult with the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) on all major applications. In the East Riding, the Council Lead Local Flood Authority is the Local Planning Authority.

The government have stipulated that planning authorities are expected to:

  • Consult LLFAs for advice regarding surface water management
  • Satisfy themselves that the national minimum standards of operation for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) are appropriate
  • Ensure through the use of planning conditions or planning obligations that there are clear arrangements in place for ongoing maintenance over the lifetime of the development.

Contact the Unda team

To Find out how we have helped clients across Yorkshire and to better understand where Unda is able to assist you please call our Flood Risk Assessment team today, by calling +44 (0) 1444 819200.

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