Flood Risk Assessment in Longford
Expert flood risk assessments for planning applications throughout County Longford. From Longford Town on the Camlin to Lanesborough, Ballymahon and the Shannon lakes, we assess river and lake 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 Longford?
Yes, if your site is in or near Flood Zone A or B, or Longford County Council has requested flood risk information at Further Information stage. The Longford County Development Plan 2021–2027 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 FRA proportionate to the risk. In Longford that usually means the Camlin in Longford Town, the Shannon and Lough Ree, and the Inny.
Flood Risk Assessment for Longford Planning Applications
If you're submitting a planning application to Longford 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 Longford County Development Plan 2021-2027 and the Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines.
Longford sits between the Shannon and Lough Ree on its western edge and the Inny catchment to the south. The OPW identified Longford Town, Clondra, Ballymahon, Abbeyshrule, Edgeworthstown and Lanesborough as areas requiring further flood assessment. During Storm Desmond in December 2015 the River Camlin burst its banks in Longford Town, flooding The Mall area. Longford County Council's Strategic Flood Risk Assessment sets out the flood zones used for planning decisions.
- River Camlin through Longford Town
- Shannon and Lough Ree shoreline (Lanesborough, Clondra)
- River Inny (Ballymahon, Abbeyshrule)
- Edgeworthstown and smaller tributaries
- Long-duration Shannon flooding and access
What's Included
Every FRA we complete for Longford 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 Where data is limited or outdated, we undertake bespoke hydraulic modelling (1D/2D HEC-RAS).
Shannon & Lake Analysis
Shannon and Lough Ree flood levels and long-duration flooding, with safe access and climate change allowances.
FFL Comparison
Your proposed finished floor levels compared against design flood levels plus freeboard.
Development Plan Compliance
Explicit demonstration of compliance with Longford County Development Plan flood risk policies.
Further Information Requests
Received an FI request from Longford County Council asking for flood risk information? We regularly handle urgent FI responses for Longford sites. Typical turnaround is 7–10 working days — often faster for straightforward sites.
Key Documents for Longford Flood Risk Assessments
Every FRA we prepare for a Longford 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:
Longford County Council
- Longford County Development Plan 2021–2027 (as varied)
- Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (Volume 4: Environmental and Flood Reports)
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)
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.
Longford Flood Risk Assessment FAQs
Has Longford Town flooded?
Yes. During Storm Desmond in December 2015 the River Camlin burst its banks in Longford Town, flooding The Mall area. A Longford Flood Relief Scheme is listed by the OPW as an ongoing scheme; until defences are in place, sites near the Camlin are assessed against current flood levels.
Which Longford towns need careful flood assessment?
The OPW identified Longford Town, Clondra, Ballymahon, Abbeyshrule, Edgeworthstown and Lanesborough as areas requiring further flood assessment. Sites in or near these towns should be checked against OPW CFRAM mapping and the council's SFRA.
How is Shannon flooding assessed for Longford sites?
We use OPW CFRAM design flood levels for the Shannon and Lough Ree, cross-checked against the SFRA flood zones. Shannon floods are slow and prolonged, so the FRA focuses on floor levels with freeboard and climate change, and on safe access during long events.
Can I get planning permission in Flood Zone A in Longford?
Possibly. Under the 2009 Guidelines, highly vulnerable development such as housing in Flood Zone A must pass the Development Management Justification Test, and Longford 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 Longford?
Typically 7–10 working days from instruction for a Stage 2 assessment, and often faster for straightforward sites. If Longford 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 Longford Site?
Send us your site address and we'll provide a fixed-price quote, typically within 24 hours.
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