Enzygo Environmental Consultants

Flood Plain Challenges - What's it all about - How do I change it

2011-07-18T10:53:00.000+01:00

So your site is within Flood Zone 3 or 2; and it looks odd. Your much higher than the river, it doesn't make sense.

[Confused CLICK HERE for Frequently Asked Questions on flood risk].

Did you know that you can challenge the Environment Agency's flood map, it isn't always accurate.

The Environment Agency periodically update their flood maps, through new modelling, recent flood events, or site specific flood map challenges.

At Enzygo we often get asked to look at flooding for specific sites, and one recent example is below.

New Flood Map (post challenge)

Existing Flood Map (pre challenge)

Before we were instructed to challenge the flood map, most of the site was shown to be in flood zone 2 (1 in 1000yr/0.01% annual probability).

After a site walkover, it became clear that something was incorrect, discussions with the EA indicated that this was down to their year 2000 aerial photography flood mapping.

We created a numerical model of the river and ran the 100, 200, 1000 year flood flows, and amended the flood map.

The site is now being looked at for new development.

If you have a similar problem, we can help solve it, see Flood Modelling

Enzygo will host One-to-One Meetings & Round Table Presentations at the ‘Fit for Farming’ Networking Event in Stoneleigh on the 12th April 2011

2011-03-25T15:57:00.004Z

With the recent announcements on Feed in Tariffs (FITs) and Renewable Heat Incentives (RHI) the opportunity for Farm Businesses, Rural Property and Estate Owners to develop and diversify into renewable projects is finally becoming clearer. Enzygo is a specialist environmental consultancy with significant renewable energy experience. We have a detailed understanding of the requirements for delivering renewable energy infrastructure including anaerobic digestion, wind and solar. Enzygo provides specialist dedicated support from early feasibility stages including site evaluations, business planning, technology assessments, supplier selection, feedstock contracting and digestate application through to planning and permitting support. We provide an integrated, high level service to identify and assess the level of opportunity as well as the feasibility of specific investments schemes throughout the project life cycle. Our projects are all Director led, providing high level of value and direction in meeting our clients’ needs from project inception to delivery. Enzygo’s team brings together a wealth of experience in the development and authorisation of AD and renewable energy facilities. We have had relevant experience in the preparation of planning applications, environmental permits and Animal By-Product Applications for AD and other renewable projects. We are confident that our level of expertise and experience can offer comprehensive and value for money services to help progress the development of an AD and other renewable energy projects. Enzygo can offer practical advice and ‘hands on’ support to clients on the delivery of good business practice, maximising resources and assets, as well as reducing environmental impacts and costs.

The Round Table Presentation ’ Delivering Anaerobic Digestion – From Inception to Construction’ will provide an overview of requirements throughout the project life-cycle and corresponding case studies, covering:

- Feasibility Assessment – Feedstock, Bankability, Site Assessments & Negotiations
- Anaerobic Digestion Process Technologies – Design Options, Supplier Selection & Contracting
- Financing – Subsidies (FITS, RHI), Equity and Grants
- Planning & Permitting – Timetable, Requirements & Submitting applications
- Enzygo - Anaerobic Digestion Case Studies

3D Visualisation Update

2010-12-02T11:25:00.003Z

Enzygo have recently updated their 3D Visualisation sotware to ensure that they keep ahead of the game when it comes to production of photo-realistic images of proposed developments.

The Enzygo Landscape Team have updated their AutoCAD software with the new release of 3Ds Max 2011, the new features of which are listed here.

For further information on Enzygo's 3D capabilities, contact us here, or refer to our website.

Planning Minister Rejects Community Support Instruction

2010-12-02T10:35:00.011Z

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Bob Neill, has rejected Parliamentary calls for Planning Inspectors to require the Planning Inspectorate to refuse appeals from wind farm developers if there is 'unanimous community opposition to the proposals.'

The Minister stated, "The Planning Inspectorate has an important role to play as the arbiter of potential conflicts between the interests of individuals, or local communities, and the needs of a nation. It would therefore be inappropriate to direct the Planning Inspectorate to refuse a planning appeal solely because of community opposition because there may still be strong national or local policy support for the wind farm."

For the full statement, refer here and for planning or environmental advice on wind farms, contact Enzygo.

For further details on Enzygo's experience with major planning schemes, refer here.

Flood Risk - Five Steps to Success

2010-11-12T20:20:00.000Z

Flood risk isn't a black box science, you can scope your sites out easily using the following five steps.

1. Identify the Flood Zone which the site lies within, insert the sites postcode into the EA website CLICK HERE. This will identify if the site is in flood zone 1, 2 or 3a/b.

At this stage you should also contact the local Environment Agency ‘Development Control Officer’ and hold informal confidential discussions about the site in terms of flooding to determine if there are any show stoppers. The local officers can identify these and provide information which you may not be aware of. They can be contacted via 08708 506 506 then select option 2

2. Residential development is classed as ‘more vulnerable’ within PPS25, therefore it is only acceptable within Flood Zone 3a subject to a ‘sequential and exception test’. Sites within Flood Zone 1 would only require drainage assessments; Flood Zone 2 is acceptable subject to a satisfactory FRA. Development would not be allowed within zone 3b.

3. If the site is within Flood Zone 3, check the SFRA to determine local advice and if the site has been reviewed/allocated within the SFRA. e.g. Greater Manchester SFRA CLICK HERE. If the site is allocated then review the constraints, if it is not allocated a more robust FRA is required

4. If the site is within Flood Zone 3, and not an allocated SFRA site, then a more robust FRA is required, as the site may not be suitable for development.

5. The next stage from this would be to contact a FRA consultant [EMAIL ENZYGO] in order to determine if there are any reasons to challenge the SFRA’s assumptions. This may require 1D or 2D flood modelling, or more detailed drainage assessments.

More details on the following can be found from the links below