How LLFAs Are Taking Back Control of Flood Modelling Data

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Flood modelling plays a central role in the flood-risk decisions made by Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs), guiding planning responses and shaping long-term strategies. Developing these models demands significant time and public investment.

However, many authorities find the data frustratingly inaccessible.

Introducing Flood Platform

Flood Platform was designed to address this issue by providing LLFAs and Unitary Authorities with direct, browser-based access to their flood modelling outputs. This allows data to be explored, shared, and reused without the need for specialist software or constant reliance on consultants.

Valuable Data, Limited Access

Under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, LLFAs have a statutory responsibility for managing local flood risk. Meanwhile, rising expectations are creating pressure to respond more quickly, justify decisions clearly, and collaborate effectively. Access to the data behind the conclusions, beyond just polished reports, is essential for officers to achieve these goals.

In practice, modelling is often delivered as static maps, reports, and specialist file formats. Without modelling or GIS software, often restricted by licensing costs, IT policies, or required training, many officers cannot interrogate the data themselves.

When Simple Questions Become Complicated

This lack of access quickly turns into a practical problem. 

Questions that should be straightforward suddenly require external input: 

• How deep is the flooding at this individual property? 

• Where exactly does water flow through this critical drainage area? 

• What changes if a development layout is amended? 

Rather than checking the model directly, officers must revert to consultants, leading to increased costs, slower responses, and a growing dependency, even for routine enquiries. Over time, models may be archived, staff members may leave, and software capabilities may change. What should be a valuable public asset becomes difficult to utilise and easy to overlook.

The Impact on Planning and Investigations

These access issues are particularly evident in planning. As statutory consultees, LLFAs assess drainage strategies, comment on Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), and advise on flood risk acceptability. When limited to predefined outputs, decisions may be made without the complete spatial detail that modelling provides.

The same challenge arises during Section 19 flood investigations. Understanding flood extents, flow paths, and depths is critical. Without direct access to the data, creating robust, defensible evidence takes longer and often requires additional input from consultants.

The issue lies not in the quality of the modelling itself but in what happens after it is delivered.

A More Accessible Approach to Modelling Data

Flood Platform removes these barriers. Model outputs are made available through a standard web browser. No desktop GIS. No modelling licences. No installations.

With Flood Platform, teams can: 

• Explore flood extents and flow paths interactively.

• Check depths and levels at specific locations.

• Compare scenarios clearly and intuitively. 

• Share a consistent view of flood risk across teams.

• Easily transfer data between organisations.

The data is no longer locked away; it is usable, repeatable, and accessible to those responsible for managing flood risk.

Transforming Models into Valuable Assets

When data is easy to access, behaviour changes.

Officers engage directly with information they’re accountable for. Questions are answered faster, evidence is clearer, and assumptions are easier to challenge.

This supports: 

• More confident and timely Section 19 investigations 

• Stronger, evidence‑led planning responses 

• Better collaboration between flood risk, planning, highways and emergency teams 

• Clearer conversations with senior officers and elected members 

Most importantly, the value of modelling is preserved. Instead of being archived, it evolves into a living asset that the organisation can revisit as new questions arise.

See Flood Platform in Action

If model access is limiting decision‑making, consultant dependency is slowing routine analysis, or valuable flood data feels out of reach, Flood Platform can change how your organisation works.

Our upcoming webinar will demonstrate how LLFAs and Unitary Authorities can leverage Flood Platform to:

• Reduce reliance on consultants for everyday queries.

• Enhance the speed and quality of planning responses.

• Support investigations with clearer, more defensible evidence.

• Foster better conversations with senior officers and elected members.

Register for our upcoming webinar and get ready to unpack the biggest hurdles in flood model management. Can't attend live? No problem! You can still register to gain access to the recording, presentation slides, and handouts.

Register here