Our Projects

Air & Flood Consultants prepared an integrated Flood Risk Assessment and SuDS Strategy addressing all flood sources. The assessment drew upon Wycombe District Council's Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (2014), British Geological Survey data, and detailed hydraulic modelling using the HR Wallingford StopUP tool. Site investigation confirmed chalk bedrock with shallow lime-rich soils offering good infiltration potential—a critical opportunity for sustainable drainage despite the groundwater risk.

The SuDS strategy achieved a 100% reduction in peak discharge rates through a multi-layered approach combining source control, infiltration, and attenuation.

Outcome
The assessment demonstrated full compliance with national and local SuDS policy whilst dramatically reducing both on-site and downstream flood risk. By infiltrating the majority of rainfall at source and providing substantial attenuation for extreme events, the development achieved a 100% reduction in peak runoff rates compared to existing conditions.

Air & Flood Consultants undertook a comprehensive Flood Risk Assessment evaluating all potential flood sources. The assessment drew upon Sevenoaks District Council's Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (2024), British Geological Survey data confirming Folkestone Formation sandstone bedrock, and Environment Agency mapping. Crucially, the SFRA groundwater mapping identified the site within an area of groundwater pathways, indicating elevated risk of groundwater emergence during prolonged wet periods.
The site's geology—sandy substrates with freely draining slightly acid loamy soils—whilst offering good infiltration potential for surface water drainage, also indicated hydraulic connectivity with the underlying aquifer, heightening groundwater flood risk to below-ground structures.

The assessment provided Sevenoaks District Council with robust technical evidence demonstrating compliance with national flood risk policy. By identifying the specific groundwater risk and proposing proportionate engineering solutions, the FRA enabled the planning application to proceed whilst ensuring future occupants would remain safe. The report confirmed that with appropriate waterproofing and drainage measures, the basement extension could be constructed without unacceptable flood risk, satisfying NPPF requirements for developments in areas potentially subject to groundwater flooding.

Air & Flood Consultants undertook a detailed Flood Risk Assessment in accordance with NPPF requirements, evaluating all potential flood sources. The assessment drew on multiple data sources including LiDAR topography, British Geological Survey records, soilscapes mapping, and local Strategic Flood Risk Assessment documentation. Ground investigation data confirmed lime-rich loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage, indicating limited infiltration potential.

The FRA demonstrated that whilst surface water posed a high risk, appropriately designed mitigation measures would ensure the development remained safe throughout its lifetime without increasing flood risk elsewhere. Recommendations included:

- Ground profiling to eliminate local depressions and direct runoff towards drainage systems
- Geocellular attenuation with flow control devices (Hydro-brake systems)
- Moisture-resistant construction materials including resilient plaster and sealed pipework
- Elevated electrical installations (minimum 1.0m above finished floor level)

Air Quality Assessment
The air quality assessment evaluated baseline conditions using local authority monitoring data and Defra background concentration maps. Results demonstrated excellent existing air quality, with nitrogen dioxide concentrations consistently below the annual mean objective of 40 µg/m³ throughout 2021-2024. All Air Quality Management Areas within Rushcliffe Borough have been revoked, confirming sustained compliance with national objectives.

Flood Risk Assessment

The assessment evaluated all potential flood sources in accordance with National Planning Policy Framework requirements. The site benefits from flood defences providing protection up to the 1 in 100-year event. The installation represents a minor alteration to existing development, with no extension to the developed area, no alteration to site levels or drainage characteristics, and no material impact on flood risk. The negligible volume of the generator unit will not reduce floodplain storage or increase flood risk elsewhere.

Conclusions
Both assessments concluded that environmental considerations do not present material constraints to planning permission. The installation:
Satisfies statutory Building Regulations requirements for emergency power provision
Employs best available emissions technology with negligible air quality impact
Incorporates appropriate flood resilience within existing development footprint
Aligns with national and local environmental policies
Demonstrates no increase in flood risk elsewhere
The project exemplifies how statutory infrastructure requirements can be satisfied in environmentally sensitive urban locations through appropriate technology selection, comprehensive assessment, and policy-compliant design.

This project involved the conversion of a former educational building in Brixton to three residential dwellings whilst achieving Air Quality Positive status. Located within Lambeth's Air Quality Management Area and designated Air Quality Focus Area, the development faced significant air quality challenges requiring comprehensive assessment and mitigation.
Key Achievements:

Air Quality Neutral compliance through car-free design and all-electric heating systems
Air Quality Positive performance via active pollution reduction measures
Zero operational emissions from fossil fuel elimination
Enhanced resident protection through HEPA filtration and strategic ventilation design
Integration of urban greening and renewable energy systems

The development demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform challenging urban sites into healthy residential environments whilst actively contributing to local air quality improvements. The project sets a precedent for sustainable urban regeneration in polluted inner London locations.

Air & Flood Consultants prepared a comprehensive Flood Risk Assessment for a proposed residential dwelling replacement at Whichford Mill, situated within Flood Zone 3 adjacent to the River Stout.
Key Challenges

Site located entirely within Flood Zone 3 (high fluvial flood risk)
Valley floor topography with northward gradient
Immediate proximity to River Stout and associated sluice infrastructure
Low-permeability clay soils limiting infiltration potential
Previous sewer flooding incidents recorded in vicinity (1-5 events)

Technical Approach
Utilising LiDAR topographical data, Environment Agency flood mapping, and Stratford-on-Avon SFRA data, the assessment evaluated all flood sources including fluvial, pluvial, groundwater, sewer, and artificial sources. Analysis confirmed the proposed dwelling location remained outside modelled flood extents despite the Flood Zone 3 classification.
Outcome
The FRA demonstrated that, subject to recommended mitigation measures, the development could proceed with acceptable flood risk levels. As a small-scale rural development, Sequential and Exception Tests were not required under NPPF paragraph 93, enabling planning progression.

We supported the planning application for a new dwelling by preparing a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) in accordance with NPPF and local policy. While the site is located in Flood Zone 1, it was identified as having high groundwater and artificial source flood risk. Our assessment confirmed that, with recommended mitigation measures in place, the site is at an acceptable level of flood risk. The FRA ensured regulatory compliance and contributed to a successful planning outcome.

We supported a planning application at Charlton Mill, Kidderminster with a Flood Risk Assessment for a proposed change of use, hardstanding, and garage development. The site is located within Flood Zone 3 and lies adjacent to Titton Brook, with additional flood risk from groundwater, surface water, and artificial sources.

Our assessment evaluated all sources of flood risk and demonstrated, with mitigation measures in place, that the site could be safely developed without increasing flood risk elsewhere. We recommended locating the garage and motorhome storage outside of Flood Zone 2 where possible, and proposed groundwater mitigation measures including perimeter land drains, non-permeable slabs, and resilient materials. The assessment was accepted, and planning was granted with no further flood-related conditions.

The proposed development at 2 Stillhouse Lane involves the partial demolition of a vacant commercial workshop and the construction of a three-storey residential building, comprising two maisonettes and one self-contained flat. The site lies within Flood Zone 2 and is exposed to multiple flood sources, requiring a comprehensive flood risk assessment (FRA) and a robust Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) strategy.

The project involves a new dwelling on a brownfield site in Flood Zone 1 (low flood risk). The FRA justified that the council’s request to raise the finished floor level by 300 mm was unnecessary, as the site is unaffected by fluvial/tidal flooding. A challenge arose from increasing impermeable area (153 m² to 220 m²), risking planning delays without SuDS. To address this, green roofs (6 m²), rainwater planters (600L), a shallow dry pond (0.4 m), and permeable paving were implemented, ensuring compliance with NPPF and local policies, managing runoff, and enhancing biodiversity without increasing costs or delays.

We supported a rear and side extension at 2 Donne Street by preparing a Flood Risk Assessment and SuDS Strategy to discharge pre-commencement conditions.

Our work included analysis of flood risks, surface water runoff calculations with 50% betterment in line with Local Plan Policy CE2(g), and detailed SuDS proposals including planters and permeable paving.

The reports met all council requirements and the conditions were discharged with no further comments.

We supported the successful discharge of a pre-commencement planning condition requiring a detailed Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Strategy. The strategy included a 50% betterment in surface water run-off rates, SuDS feature specification, drainage layout, and construction and maintenance arrangements. The council approved the submission without further comment, confirming that our strategy met all policy CE2 (g) requirements.

We delivered a SuDS Strategy for 29 Meredyth Road to discharge a pre-commencement planning condition. The report included runoff calculations, SuDS specification, drainage layout, and maintenance details. The condition was discharged without comment, allowing construction to proceed smoothly.

We supported the client in discharging a SuDS Strategy condition for a site within a Critical Drainage Area in Richmond. The initial council feedback requested justification for not using infiltration measures and proposed a complex solution involving permeable paving with sub-base attenuation and pumping.

Our revised SuDS Strategy demonstrated that infiltration was unfeasible due to site constraints and groundwater conditions. Instead, we proposed rainwater planters providing 370L of above-ground attenuation, improving biodiversity, water quality and saving the client cost and construction time. The condition was discharged with no further comments.

We provided a Flood Risk Assessment for the conversion and extension of a former office into three homes. The site showed elevated risk of groundwater flooding, and we advised on resilient construction methods including waterproofing and sump pump readiness. The assessment supported a successful planning outcome, with no further comments from the local authority.