Flood Risk Assessment in Clare
Expert flood risk assessments for planning applications throughout County Clare. From the Shannon Estuary to Ennis town centre, we've completed FRAs for residential, commercial, and agricultural developments across the county.
Get a Quote or call 087 417 3832 or WhatsAppIf we can’t answer, please leave a message or send a WhatsApp — we’ll get back to you.Do I need a Flood Risk Assessment for planning in Clare?
Yes, if your site is in or near Flood Zone A or B, or Clare County Council has asked for flood risk information in a Further Information request. The Clare County Development Plan 2023–2029 and its Strategic Flood Risk Assessment apply the 2009 Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines, so applications in or near flood zones need a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment proportionate to the risk. In Clare that usually means assessing tidal risk from the Shannon Estuary, river flooding on the Fergus, Atlantic coastal flooding and, in the Burren and east Clare, karst groundwater flooding.
Flood Risk Assessment for Clare Planning Applications
If you're submitting a planning application to Clare County Council and your site is in or near a flood zone, you'll need a Flood Risk Assessment that satisfies the requirements of the Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 and the Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines.
Clare has complex flood risk from multiple sources. The Shannon Estuary dominates the eastern boundary with tidal and fluvial influences, while the River Fergus flows through Ennis creating well-documented flood zones. Coastal flood risk affects areas from Kilrush to Lahinch and the Burren coastline.
- Sites along the Shannon Estuary (tidal/fluvial combined)
- River Fergus corridor through Ennis
- Coastal properties in Kilkee, Lahinch, Spanish Point
- Lough Derg shoreline developments
- Groundwater flooding in karst areas (Burren)
What's Included
Every FRA we complete for Clare sites includes:
Stage 1, 2 & 3 Assessments
Proper methodology using OPW flood mapping and modelling data. Where data is limited or outdated, we undertake bespoke hydraulic modelling (1D/2D HEC-RAS).
Coastal Analysis
For Atlantic coast sites: national coastal flood modelling data with appropriate climate change and storm surge allowances.
FFL Comparison
Your proposed finished floor levels compared against design flood levels plus freeboard.
Development Plan Compliance
Explicit demonstration of compliance with Clare County Development Plan flood risk policies.
Further Information Requests
Received an FI request from Clare County Council asking for flood risk information? We regularly handle urgent FI responses for Clare sites. Typical turnaround is 7–10 working days — often faster for straightforward sites.
Key Documents for Clare Flood Risk Assessments
Every FRA we prepare for a Clare site is assessed against the development plan and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) of the relevant planning authority, the national flood risk guidelines, and the latest OPW flood data:
Clare County Council
- Clare County Development Plan 2023–2029 (as varied)
- Strategic Flood Risk Assessment – Volume 10c, Clare County Development Plan 2023–2029
National guidance and flood data
- The Planning System and Flood Risk Management – Guidelines for Planning Authorities (DoEHLG & OPW, November 2009)
- The Planning System and Flood Risk Management – Technical Appendices (November 2009)
- Circular PL 2/2014 – Flooding Guidelines (revised Section 5.28 on minor development)
- OPW Flood Maps – floodinfo.ie (CFRAM, NIFM and NCFHM flood mapping)
- Geological Survey Ireland – GWFlood groundwater flood maps (historic and predictive)
- Clare County Council – Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme officially opened
Links open the official source documents. Development plans are periodically varied, so we always check the current version and any variation SFRA when preparing your report.
Clare Flood Risk Assessment FAQs
What does Clare County Council require in a Flood Risk Assessment?
Objective CDP2.6 (Flood Risk Assessment and Management) of the Clare County Development Plan 2023–2029 requires development proposals to have regard to the plan's Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and the 2009 Flood Risk Management Guidelines. In practice the council expects design flood levels for the 1% AEP fluvial and 0.5% AEP tidal events, finished floor levels set above those levels with freeboard and climate change allowance, safe access and egress, and confirmation that flood risk is not increased elsewhere.
Is groundwater flooding a planning issue in Clare?
Yes, in the karst limestone of the Burren and east Clare. Geological Survey Ireland has published historic groundwater flood maps, largely based on the 2015/2016 flood event, and predictive maps for recurring turlough flooding. Standard OPW river and coastal maps do not show this risk, so for karst sites we check the GSI GWFlood data as well as the OPW datasets.
Are coastal sites in Clare at risk?
Many are. The Clare SFRA records the severe damage to coastal towns in the winter of 2013/14 and the rapid flash flooding in Kilkee in April 2014. For coastal sites from Kilrush to Lahinch we use the OPW National Coastal Flood Hazard Mapping and apply climate change and storm surge allowances to the 0.5% AEP tidal level.
Does the Ennis flood relief scheme mean I don't need an FRA?
No. The Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme on the River Fergus was completed in 2021, and Clare County Council reports that Ennis's flood schemes together protect around 1,850 properties. However, the 2009 Guidelines map flood zones without the benefit of defences, so sites behind defences still need an FRA that addresses residual risk, such as overtopping or failure.
Can I get planning permission in Flood Zone A in Clare?
Possibly. Under the 2009 Guidelines, highly vulnerable development such as housing in Flood Zone A must pass the Development Management Justification Test, and Clare County Council will expect a site-specific FRA to show the development, its occupants and its access are safe without increasing flood risk elsewhere. Minor development such as small extensions, small-scale infill and changes of use is treated differently under Circular PL 2/2014: the Justification Test does not apply, but a commensurate flood risk assessment is still required.
How long does a Flood Risk Assessment take in Clare?
Typically 7–10 working days from instruction for a Stage 2 assessment, and often faster for straightforward sites. If Clare County Council has issued a Further Information request with a deadline, tell us when you get in touch and we will prioritise it. Stage 3 assessments with hydraulic modelling take longer and are scoped per site.
Need an FRA for a Clare Site?
Send us your site address and we'll provide a fixed-price quote, typically within 24 hours.
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