Flooding Crisis Renders Homes Unsellable in Nottinghamshire and Beyond
In 2020, a brook behind Christine’s home in Trowell, Nottinghamshire, burst its banks, flooding her bungalow and neighboring properties. Despite refurbishment efforts in 2023, the homes flooded again eight months later, illustrating the persistent threat faced by residents.
Repeated flooding has effectively made these homes unsellable. A study by Bayes Business School found that properties at risk of flooding sell for 8%–32% less than average.
Environment Agency assessments have favored flood-proofing individual houses over large-scale embankments. However, funding for flood management has fallen by approximately 50% over the past decade.
Flood defenses installed, such as flood doors, barriers, and pumps, proved insufficient as water rose through the ground into foundations. Several of the homes were built on platforms, yet the measures could not fully prevent flooding.
Residents remain vigilant during bad weather, relying on warnings and contingency plans to move belongings. Managing flood barriers is especially burdensome for pensioners.
The flooding problem is linked to nearby developments that increase surface runoff. The lead local flood authority estimates that runoff will be about 44% higher once all proposed projects are completed.
Planning rules tend to assess developments individually, ignoring the cumulative effects of multiple projects. The increase in paved surfaces reduces water absorption and can dramatically raise flood risk.
Guardian analysis reveals that more than 100,000 new homes could be built in the highest-risk flood zones. Presently, 6.3 million properties are at risk, a figure expected to rise to 8 million by 2050.
The government currently covers flood risk in home insurance until 2039. After this, lenders may refuse funding for high-risk properties, potentially resulting in negative equity and mortgage defaults. While these risks could threaten financial stability, the Bank of England sees no immediate danger as long as the existing scheme remains in place.
