Flood Risk Assessment in Louth
Expert flood risk assessments for planning applications throughout County Louth. From Drogheda and Dundalk to Ardee, Blackrock and the Cooley Peninsula, we assess river, tidal and coastal 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 Louth?
Yes, if your site is in or near Flood Zone A or B, or Louth County Council has requested flood risk information at Further Information stage. Policy IU 27 of the Louth County Development Plan 2021–2027 requires proposals in Flood Zones A or B to be consistent with the 2009 Guidelines, and proposals vulnerable to flooding to be supported by a Site Specific Flood Risk Assessment. In Louth that usually means the tidal Boyne in Drogheda, the Castletown and Rampart rivers in Dundalk, and coastal flooding.
Flood Risk Assessment for Louth Planning Applications
If you're submitting a planning application to Louth 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 Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 and the Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines.
Louth has significant tidal and river flood risk in its two largest towns. In Drogheda the tidal River Boyne overtopped in January 2014, affecting 100 homes and 62 commercial properties, and in Dundalk the Castletown and Rampart rivers meet tidal Dundalk Bay. Louth County Council's SFRA also identifies flood risk on the Dee and Glyde at Ardee, the White River at Dunleer, and coastal flooding at Blackrock, Baltray, Clogherhead and Carlingford, and notes karst groundwater flooding on the Cooley Peninsula.
- Tidal River Boyne (Drogheda, Baltray)
- Castletown and Rampart rivers and Dundalk Bay (Dundalk, Blackrock)
- Rivers Dee and Glyde (Ardee)
- Coastal sites at Clogherhead, Carlingford and Greenore
- Karst groundwater on the Cooley Peninsula
What's Included
Every FRA we complete for Louth 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 Where data is limited or outdated, we undertake bespoke hydraulic modelling (1D/2D HEC-RAS).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 & Tidal Analysis
Combined tidal and river flood levels for Drogheda and Dundalk, OPW coastal data 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 Louth County Development Plan flood risk policies.
Further Information Requests
Received an FI request from Louth County Council asking for flood risk information? We regularly handle urgent FI responses for Louth sites. Typical turnaround is 7–10 working days — often faster for straightforward sites.
Key Documents for Louth Flood Risk Assessments
Every FRA we prepare for a Louth 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:
Louth County Council
- Louth County Development Plan 2021–2027 (as varied; review to 2027–2033 under way)
- Louth County Development Plan 2021–2027 – Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (Volume 5)
- Dundalk Local Area Plan 2025–2031 – Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (April 2025)
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)
- OPW / gov.ie – Consultants appointed for the Dundalk, Blackrock South and Ardee Flood Relief Schemes
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.
Louth Flood Risk Assessment FAQs
Has Drogheda flooded?
Yes. Louth County Council's SFRA records that the River Boyne overtopped in Drogheda on 3 January 2014, affecting 100 homes and 62 commercial properties, and that coastal flooding hit Baltray, Clogherhead and Dundalk on 2 November 2000. The Drogheda and Baltray Flood Relief Scheme is at design stage.
Is Dundalk protected from flooding?
Not yet. The Dundalk and Blackrock South Flood Relief Scheme is at design and environmental assessment stage, and is intended to protect around 1,880 properties. Until it is built, Dundalk sites must be assessed against current river and tidal flood levels, including the Dundalk LAP 2025–2031 SFRA.
Is a new Louth development plan coming?
Yes. Louth County Council has begun reviewing the plan for 2027–2033. Until the new plan is adopted, the 2021–2027 plan and its SFRA remain the reference for planning applications.
Can I get planning permission in Flood Zone A in Louth?
Possibly. Under the 2009 Guidelines, highly vulnerable development such as housing in Flood Zone A must pass the Development Management Justification Test, and Louth 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 Louth?
Typically 7–10 working days from instruction for a Stage 2 assessment, and often faster for straightforward sites. If Louth 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 Louth Site?
Send us your site address and we'll provide a fixed-price quote, typically within 24 hours.
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