The role of building flood resilience in the flood risk management hierarchy

New planning policy in England and Wales should direct future development away from areas of high flood risk, but it is inevitable that some development will be necessary in places that flood, albeit with a low or residual risk. As part of the hierarchy of flood mitigation measures, a growing consideration promoted by Government, planners and insurers is to design and construct these new dwellings so they are more resistant or resilient to flood damage. Flood resilient repairs have also been promoted for many years for existing properties that suffer from flooding. These approaches are particularly important since climate change is likely to bring with it an increased flood risk. HR Wallingford took a key role within a research consortium that produced fresh guidance on ‘Improving the flood performance of new buildings’. The report, published in May 2007, was jointly funded by Communities and Local Government and Defra/Environment Agency. Part of the research involved the laboratory testing of materials and construction assemblies at HR Wallingford under appropriate flood conditions. Results on water penetration and drying ability have provided new information to corroborate previous opinion, both ‘anecdotal’ and expert. This paper outlines the various stages in the production of this new guidance document, which in addition to the laboratory testing also undertook a comprehensive literature review, including information from North America, the Netherlands and Australia. The guidance manual provides information on flood avoidance and resistance measures but it is mainly concerned with flood resilient design and construction. Flood resilient construction has clear benefits. It can limit damage to the fabric of a building and minimise the time during which families are without their home. As a result it can help to reduce the stress and anxiety that flooding can cause