Flood Risk Assessment in Wicklow
Expert flood risk assessments for planning applications throughout County Wicklow. From Bray and Greystones to Wicklow Town, Arklow and Blessington, we assess river and coastal flood risk for developments of every scale.
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 Wicklow?
Yes, if your site is in or near Flood Zone A or B, or Wicklow County Council has requested flood risk information at Further Information stage. The Wicklow County Development Plan 2022–2028 states that an appropriately detailed flood risk assessment will be required with all planning applications in areas at risk of flooding (CPO 14.09), supported by the plan's Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. In Wicklow that usually means the Dargle at Bray, the Avoca at Arklow, east coast flooding and fast-responding mountain streams.
Flood Risk Assessment for Wicklow Planning Applications
If you're submitting a planning application to Wicklow 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 Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 and the Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines.
Wicklow's flood risk is shaped by short, steep rivers draining the Wicklow Mountains to the Irish Sea. The River Dargle flooded Little Bray during Hurricane Charley in August 1986, when around 500 households were evacuated, and the River Avoca flows through Avoca and Arklow. Wicklow County Council's SFRA also covers Wicklow Town–Rathnew, Greystones, Newcastle, Ashford, Aughrim, Blessington and the River Slaney at Baltinglass, along with coastal flooding on the east coast.
- River Dargle (Bray)
- River Avoca (Avoca and Arklow)
- Wicklow Town–Rathnew and the Murrough coast
- Coastal sites at Greystones and along the east coast
- River Slaney (Baltinglass) and upland streams
What's Included
Every FRA we complete for Wicklow 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 Where data is limited or outdated, we undertake bespoke hydraulic modelling (1D/2D HEC-RAS).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 & Steep Catchments
OPW coastal flood data for east coast sites, and assessment of fast-responding mountain rivers and culvert capacity.
FFL Comparison
Your proposed finished floor levels compared against design flood levels plus freeboard.
Development Plan Compliance
Explicit demonstration of compliance with Wicklow County Development Plan flood risk policies.
Further Information Requests
Received an FI request from Wicklow County Council asking for flood risk information? We regularly handle urgent FI responses for Wicklow sites. Typical turnaround is 7–10 working days — often faster for straightforward sites.
Key Documents for Wicklow Flood Risk Assessments
Every FRA we prepare for a Wicklow 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:
Wicklow County Council
- Wicklow County Development Plan 2022–2028 (as varied)
- Appendix 8: Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, Wicklow County Development Plan 2022–2028
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 – An Bord Pleanála approval for the Arklow Flood Relief Scheme
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.
Wicklow Flood Risk Assessment FAQs
Is Bray protected from the River Dargle?
The River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme in Bray was officially opened in November 2017, following historic flooding including Hurricane Charley in 1986. The 2009 Guidelines map flood zones without defences, so Bray sites near the Dargle still need an FRA that considers residual risk, such as overtopping or blockage.
What is the status of the Arklow Flood Relief Scheme?
An Bord Pleanála approved the Arklow Flood Relief Scheme on the River Avoca in July 2022. Until the scheme is built, Arklow sites near the Avoca are assessed against current river and tidal flood levels with climate change allowances.
What does Wicklow County Council require in an FRA?
Objective CPO 14.09 requires an appropriately detailed flood risk assessment with planning applications in areas at risk of flooding, and CPO 14.10 restricts development in river flood plains unless the Justification Test is passed. The FRA should cover design flood levels, floor levels with freeboard, access and egress, and effects on flood risk elsewhere.
Can I get planning permission in Flood Zone A in Wicklow?
Possibly. Under the 2009 Guidelines, highly vulnerable development such as housing in Flood Zone A must pass the Development Management Justification Test, and Wicklow 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 Wicklow?
Typically 7–10 working days from instruction for a Stage 2 assessment, and often faster for straightforward sites. If Wicklow 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 Wicklow Site?
Send us your site address and we'll provide a fixed-price quote, typically within 24 hours.
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