Flood Risk Assessment in Wexford
Expert flood risk assessments for planning applications throughout County Wexford. From Slaney corridor sites in Enniscorthy to tidal Barrow developments in New Ross and coastal sites along the Wexford coast, we've completed FRAs for residential, commercial, and agricultural sites 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 Wexford?
Yes, if your site is in or near Flood Zone A or B, or Wexford County Council has requested flood risk information at Further Information stage. The Wexford County Development Plan 2022–2028 and its Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (Volume 11) 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 Wexford that usually means the River Slaney in Enniscorthy, the tidal Barrow at New Ross, and coastal flooding around Wexford Harbour and the east coast.
Flood Risk Assessment for Wexford Planning Applications
If you're submitting a planning application to Wexford 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 Wexford County Development Plan 2022-2028 and the Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines.
Wexford has substantial fluvial and coastal flood risk. The River Slaney flows through Enniscorthy — one of the most flood-prone towns in Ireland, with detailed CFRAM mapping and a flood relief scheme still at design and planning stage — before discharging to Wexford Harbour. The tidal River Barrow affects New Ross, where fluvial and tidal influences combine. Wexford town itself faces coastal flood risk around the harbour, while Rosslare, Courtown, and other coastal settlements are exposed to tidal flooding and ongoing coastal erosion along the Wexford coastline. The Owenduff, Corock, and Sow rivers add localised fluvial risk.
- River Slaney corridor through Enniscorthy
- Tidal River Barrow sites in New Ross
- Coastal flooding around Wexford Harbour and Wexford town
- Coastal sites at Rosslare, Courtown, and Kilmore Quay
- Owenduff, Corock, and Sow river flooding
What's Included
Every FRA we complete for Wexford 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 Where data is limited or outdated, we undertake bespoke hydraulic modelling (1D/2D HEC-RAS).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
Full use of ICPSS and NCFHM coastal datasets, with appropriate climate change allowances for tidal and combined fluvial-tidal sites.
FFL Comparison
Your proposed finished floor levels compared against design flood levels plus freeboard.
Development Plan Compliance
Explicit demonstration of compliance with Wexford County Development Plan flood risk policies.
Further Information Requests
Received an FI request from Wexford County Council asking for flood risk information? We regularly handle urgent FI responses for Wexford sites. Typical turnaround is 7–10 working days — often faster for straightforward sites.
Key Documents for Wexford Flood Risk Assessments
Every FRA we prepare for a Wexford 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:
Wexford County Council
- Wexford County Development Plan 2022–2028 (as varied)
- Volume 11: Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, Wexford County Development Plan 2022–2028
- Variation 1 of the Wexford County Development Plan 2022–2028 SFRA – Enniscorthy & New Ross
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.
Wexford Flood Risk Assessment FAQs
How often does Enniscorthy flood?
Wexford County Council's Variation 1 SFRA records major Slaney floods in Enniscorthy in 1924, 1947, 1965, 1986 and 2000, with further flooding in 2004, 2014, 2015, 2021 and January 2026. The Enniscorthy Flood Relief Scheme is still at design and planning stage, and the SFRA treats the town as undefended, so riverside sites need a robust FRA.
Is New Ross protected from flooding?
The New Ross Flood Alleviation Scheme was substantially completed in 2021 to a 0.5% AEP tidal standard, according to the council's Variation 1 SFRA. Because flood zones are mapped without defences, New Ross sites still need an FRA that considers residual risk and climate change.
Are coastal sites in Wexford assessed differently?
Yes. For Wexford town, Rosslare, Courtown and Kilmore Quay we use the OPW coastal datasets (ICPSS and NCFHM), applying storm surge and climate change allowances to the 0.5% AEP tidal level, and consider coastal erosion where relevant.
Can I get planning permission in Flood Zone A in Wexford?
Possibly. Under the 2009 Guidelines, highly vulnerable development such as housing in Flood Zone A must pass the Development Management Justification Test, and Wexford 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 Wexford?
Typically 7–10 working days from instruction for a Stage 2 assessment, and often faster for straightforward sites. If Wexford 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 Wexford Site?
Send us your site address and we'll provide a fixed-price quote, typically within 24 hours.
Get a Quote