ConstructionCivil EngineeringFlood Defence Systems
Flood Defence
Systems
Protecting communities from river and surface water flooding.
We design and build flood defence infrastructure — from raised embankments and tidal barriers to SuDS networks and culvert improvements — engineered to reduce flood risk and meet Environment Agency standards.
Overview
What We
Build
Flood defence engineering requires an understanding of hydrology, hydraulics, geotechnics, and ecology — combined with careful stakeholder management across landowners, the Environment Agency, and local authorities. We deliver flood alleviation schemes that are engineered to perform, consented through the right regulatory channels, and constructed with minimal environmental impact.
From individual property-level protection to major catchment flood management schemes, we approach each project with a clear understanding of the flood mechanism, the standard of protection required, and the long-term maintenance obligation that each solution creates.
Capabilities
What We Deliver
Flood Embankments
Earth embankments and raised defences designed for the flood standard required — with appropriate crest levels, side slopes, and erosion protection for the watercourse environment.
Flood Barriers & Gates
Demountable and permanent flood barriers, tidal gates, and sluice structures — providing active or passive protection to urban flood risk areas.
Culverts & Watercourses
Culvert replacement, upsizing, and watercourse realignment — increasing conveyance capacity and removing flow restrictions that contribute to upstream flooding.
Sustainable Drainage
SuDS basins, swales, infiltration systems, and attenuation tanks — managing surface water at source and reducing runoff rates to greenfield standards.
Regulatory Framework
Consents &
Compliance
- ✓Environment Agency Flood Risk Activity Permits
- ✓Lead Local Flood Authority SUDS approval
- ✓National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) flood risk requirements
- ✓CIRIA C753 SuDS Manual design standards
- ✓HSE CDM 2015 — Principal Designer role
- ✓Water Framework Directive morphological assessment
- ✓Natural England Habitats Regulations Assessment
- ✓PPS25 sequential and exception tests
Navigating the Consent Landscape
Flood defence works in or near watercourses typically require Environment Agency Flood Risk Activity Permits, planning consent, and often Habitats Regulations Assessment where European Protected Species are present. We manage the full consenting process — preparing applications, coordinating ecology surveys, and engaging statutory consultees — so that works can proceed without regulatory delay.
New development in flood risk areas must demonstrate that surface water runoff is managed to greenfield rates, with SuDS as the preferred approach. We design drainage strategies that satisfy Lead Local Flood Authority approval and integrate with the wider flood alleviation scheme — ensuring planning conditions can be discharged cleanly.
Civil Engineering
Planning A Flood
Defence Project?
From hydraulic modelling through to barrier construction, we help clients protect communities, unlock development land, and meet Environment Agency requirements.
Start A Conversation