Flood Risk Assessment And Other Environmental Reporting

Client

Reports4Planning (R4P) were approached by a Planning Practice for assistance in preparing a number of assessments to support the expansion of a marina near Oxford.

The project involved the claiming of agricultural land to support a new 100-berth marina with associated car parking, landscaping, and wash rooms.  Reports4Planning were brought on board to supply specialist advice and consultancy support particularly in respect of Flood Risk Assessment, but also for areas of ecology, landscape and visual impact, and trees.

Brief

The client had a tight timescale to prepare the necessary assessments and design the scheme accordingly.  A close working relationship was required across all sectors and in this the client realised the benefit of working with a single team.

Approach

R4P held early discussions with the client and project team to set a programme of works which would be sensitive to the current users of the site.

Method

The team at Reports4Planning assessed the detailed requirements particularly noting the water based end use of the proposals. R4P’s specialised team was brought together and Site visits were undertaken within a week of appointment. A number of trees were required to be removed so these were assessed and a thorough ecological appraisal of the site made.

Significant input was placed to the potential visual impact that the scheme may bring and the scheme was shown digitally to have no negative impact.  Due to the reclaiming of land and expansion of the water network a detailed flood risk assessment was prepared to show which land could be used to compensate the removal of part of the flood zone and detailed assessment undertaken in respect of parking and new buildings.

Outcome

The four reports prepared by R4P were invaluable to the project team in navigating the design process and preparing the final scheme.  The project was demonstrated positively through the visual impact assessment and the acknowledged methodology was successfully put forward to allow for flood compensation.  A scheme was put forward for the management of existing trees and existing habitats.  The scheme was awarded planning consent at the first attempt and the new marina has now been completed.