New support gives property owners better protection from flooding

The report explores the role of building regulations and certification, in encouraging use of flood resistant construction methods
The report explores the role of building regulations and certification, in encouraging use of flood resistant construction methods

A new report launched today aims to help people better protect their homes and businesses from risk of flooding and recover more quickly if the worst happens.

The Property Flood Resilience Action Plan brings together the government and industry and establishes an action plan to ensure property owners are better equipped to prepare for flooding and get back into homes and business sooner if it does.

Floods Minister Thérèse Coffey said the impact of flooding on people’s lives is not just financial, but 'emotionally devastating'.

"This new action plan brings business and government together so it will be easier for people to take action to better protect themselves and their properties.

"Our unprecedented £2.5 billion investment in flood defences will better protect 300,000 properties from floods by 2021. But property-level measures are key to ensuring those who are unfortunate enough to suffer flooding can get back in their homes and businesses sooner and minimise the impact.

Reality of flooding in rural areas

Country organisation CLA, which represents 32,000 landowners, farmers and rural businesses, has responded to the plan, saying rural businesses and farmers live with the reality of flood risk.

CLA Director of Policy Christopher Price said: "We welcome this report. Businesses and homeowners across rural England and Wales live with the reality of flood risk. It is a significant worry and one that we must tackle on a multitude of ways.

"We will work with government and the industry to ensure that these initiatives to promote advice and help individual property owners are used to ensure rural property owners can be better prepared for flood incidents.

"We will continue to press for reform in how we manage land within water catchments that are prone to flooding. Our aim is to reduce the risks and frequency of flooding incidents.

"Landowners have a big role to play and the benefits of change in this area are immense.”