How to ask for informal flood advice
Before submitting a formal planning application, you can request informal, site-specific advice from us on flood risk and surface water drainage arrangements. This service is separate from our formal pre-application advice.
Follow these steps to get started.
Step 1: Apply online
Applying online is quick and easy.
To apply online, please have the following ready:
- an overview of the development proposal
- a scaled location plan, with the site outlined in red
- details on the scale and nature of the development
- an indicative master plan and drainage layout (if available)
Apply online for informal pre-application flood advice
Make sure to note your form’s reference number before moving to step 2.
Step 2: Make payment
The cost for this service is £60 plus VAT.
If your request is expected to take more than an hour, we may agree on an increased fee or choose to decline it.
To pay online, you’ll need:
- the site address
- any online or application reference number (if known) related to the application being paid for
Important: We can’t process your application without this information, so please include it in the message section on the payment form.
Pay for your flood advice online
Alternatively, you can make payment by phone at 0300 300 8635.
When to expect your informal advice
We aim to provide a response within 21 days of receiving all required information, including the completed form, supporting documents, and payment.
The informal advice we offer
This service provides early-stage advice and includes a basic flood risk assessment based on a standard template. For more detailed requests, please use our formal pre-application advice service.
While we may consult with other organisations during the pre-application process, we expect you to seek your own technical or expert advice and contact relevant consultees directly. The informal advice provided before a formal application will not include consultation with other services.
Our goal is to offer clear and consistent guidance on proposed developments. Please remember that the pre-application process does not represent a formal decision. Advice is given without prejudice to any formal consideration of a subsequent planning application.
We do not review Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs) or detailed surface water strategies through this service; these should be requested through our formal pre-application advice service.
If you apply for both informal and formal pre-application advice, information from our team may be repeated. The formal pre-application advice, managed by the planning team, may contain similar information to the informal advice, with additional details based on an assessment of the submitted information.