Flood Risk Assessment in Leitrim
Expert flood risk assessments for planning applications throughout County Leitrim. From Carrick-on-Shannon and Drumshanbo to Mohill, Ballinamore and Manorhamilton, we assess river, lake and groundwater flood risk.
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 Leitrim?
Yes, if your site is in or near Flood Zone A or B, or Leitrim County Council has requested flood risk information at Further Information stage. The Leitrim County Development Plan 2023–2029 includes policies requiring a flood risk assessment to be carried out, with site-specific FRAs in Flood Zones A and B, supported by the plan's Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. In Leitrim that usually means the Shannon at Carrick-on-Shannon, Lough Allen around Drumshanbo, and smaller lake and river catchments.
Flood Risk Assessment for Leitrim Planning Applications
If you're submitting a planning application to Leitrim 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 Leitrim County Development Plan 2023-2029 and the Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines.
Leitrim's flood risk is dominated by the upper Shannon and Lough Allen, whose levels are managed by ESB. Leitrim County Council's SFRA identifies flood risk at Carrick-on-Shannon and Cortober, Drumshanbo, Leitrim Village, Dromod and Mohill, with smaller catchments affecting Ballinamore, Manorhamilton and Tullaghan. The SFRA also notes that winter 2015/16 produced the largest groundwater flood on record in most areas, so karst flooding is checked where relevant.
- River Shannon corridor (Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim Village)
- Lough Allen shoreline (Drumshanbo)
- Shannon lakes and tributaries (Dromod, Mohill)
- Smaller catchments at Ballinamore and Manorhamilton
- Groundwater flooding on karst limestone
What's Included
Every FRA we complete for Leitrim 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 Where data is limited or outdated, we undertake bespoke hydraulic modelling (1D/2D HEC-RAS).
Lake & Shannon Analysis
Shannon and Lough Allen levels and long-duration flooding, with climate change allowances and safe access during prolonged events.
FFL Comparison
Your proposed finished floor levels compared against design flood levels plus freeboard.
Development Plan Compliance
Explicit demonstration of compliance with Leitrim County Development Plan flood risk policies.
Further Information Requests
Received an FI request from Leitrim County Council asking for flood risk information? We regularly handle urgent FI responses for Leitrim sites. Typical turnaround is 7–10 working days — often faster for straightforward sites.
Key Documents for Leitrim Flood Risk Assessments
Every FRA we prepare for a Leitrim 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:
Leitrim County Council
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)
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.
Leitrim Flood Risk Assessment FAQs
What are Leitrim County Council's flood risk policies?
The Leitrim County Development Plan 2023–2029 includes FRM POL 2 (ensure that a flood risk assessment is carried out) and FRM POL 13 (site-specific FRAs in Flood Zones A and B and the mid-range future climate scenario). Your FRA should show compliance with these, the SFRA and the 2009 Guidelines.
Is there a flood relief scheme for Carrick-on-Shannon?
Leitrim County Council's SFRA records that a Carrick-on-Shannon scheme is at scheme development and preliminary design stage, aiming for 1% AEP protection. Until it is built, sites in the town are assessed against the current Shannon flood levels.
Does Lough Allen affect flood risk?
Yes. The SFRA notes that Lough Allen's levels are managed by ESB. Lakeside sites around Drumshanbo need an assessment of recorded and modelled lake levels, freeboard and climate change, and whether access stays open during prolonged high water.
Can I get planning permission in Flood Zone A in Leitrim?
Possibly. Under the 2009 Guidelines, highly vulnerable development such as housing in Flood Zone A must pass the Development Management Justification Test, and Leitrim 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 Leitrim?
Typically 7–10 working days from instruction for a Stage 2 assessment, and often faster for straightforward sites. If Leitrim 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 Leitrim Site?
Send us your site address and we'll provide a fixed-price quote, typically within 24 hours.
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