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Civil Engineering

Role: Technical Director

Location: Ipswich

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Flood Risk and Drainage

Nene Waterfront © Tekuchi

Recent changes to Planning Policy and attention to the possible future effects of climate change on the risk of flooding, are causing flood risk to become an ever more frequent presence in the planning process.

All sites in flood zones 2 and 3, and all sites larger than 1 hectare, require a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) to accompany the planning application. MLM recommend early involvement in schemes to allow the opportunity to optimise the effective inclusion of flood risk reduction measures.

MLM has undertaken flood study work over many years for both private and commercial sites ranging from small scale extensions to large scale town developments and essential infrastructure requirements. We also have experience of providing expert evidence at enquiry and appeals.

Our multi-disciplinary expertise includes:

  • Flood Risk Assessments
  • Advice regarding Sequential and Exception Tests
  • Flood Evacuation Plans & advice on safe site and exit
  • River catchment flow assessment using the Flood Estimation Handbook
  • Hydraulic modelling of watercourses
  • Flood defence breach and overtopping modelling
  • Flood storage compensation volume assessment and design
  • Hydraulic structure assessment and design
  • Site surface water runoff drainage strategies
  • Design of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS)
  • Reviews of existing FRAs and advice regarding flooding to when purchasing sites.

We pride ourselves on combining developers needs and first class technical expertise with the requirements of the Planning Policy.

MLM’s Flood Risk team includes:

  • Directors with many years experience in assisting developers with all manner of flood risk matters
  • A civil engineering flood risk team leader with
    several years full time FRA experience who oversees the FRA and hydraulic modelling work
  • Dedicated graduate engineers with a varying
    specialist flood risk related expertise
  • Flood risk technician staff.

Our hydrological and hydraulic modelling work is undertaken using Environment Agency recommended software. We are also fully capable of all types of surface water drainage and Sustainable drainage design using Microdrainage and other associated software.