Tag Archives: floods
Concerns voiced about lack of flood awareness among UK home owners
With the UK in the middle of yet another storm with high winds there are calls for a new approach to home building on flood plains and an increase in awareness for home owners. Land agent Aston Mead believes that the country needs to get rid of the notion that sand bags can prevent homes from being flooded and instead adopt a radically different approach. The call comes as new survey reveals that one in three home owners are unaware whether their home is on a flood plain or not. Almost 10,000 homes a year are built on floodplains, with an average of one new home in every 14 constructed on land that has a significant chance of flooding, either from a river or the sea. Aston Mead director Richard Watkins said that flood prevention should be at the core of construction on floodplains. ‘We can’t go on treating flooding as an afterthought. Instead, we should be building properties which are specifically designed to rise and fall with the flood water. The technology is already available out there, all we have to do is make best use of it,’ he explained. He points to designs for homes which are built on top of a pre-cast pontoon sitting inside an excavated concrete void. As flood water enters the void, the pontoon rises, guided by vertical rails which can be hidden within walls and chimney breasts. As the floodwater recedes, the house returns to its original position, with a pump removing any excess water. Access is available at all times using an articulated pathway, and services remain connected using a system of flexible knuckle joints. ‘This system is completely scalable, and designs of properties can range from the very traditional to the highly contemporary, with the footprint of the floating pontoon extending beyond the building itself to include garages, terraces and gardens,’ Watkins pointed out. ‘The pontoons can also be used as fully habitable basements and there are few limitations to size, design or even the number of storeys that can be added on top. An additional advantage is that as water fills the void, it reduces the amount of flood water passing onto neighbouring properties,’ he said. ‘These buildings can be mortgaged on standard terms by most lenders and they also qualify for standard household insurance despite being on the floodplain. What’s more, if they are also fitted with grey water recycling and photo-voltaic panels, they can remain fully functional safe havens even in the worst flooding conditions,’ he added. Recent Met Office figures revealed that December 2015 was the wettest month ever recorded in the UK, with almost twice the amount of average rainfall and more storms hit the country in January and already in February. ‘Resorting to a supply of sandbags in the garage just in case is no longer good enough. We can’t continue fighting… Continue reading
Quarter of UK buyers would consider a home on a flood plain despite recent floods
With the UK again being hit by bad floods this winter new research has found that a quarter of buyers would consider properties on known flood plains. The research from HouseSimple also found that of those who would buy on a flood plain some 65% would want a price discount of at least 21%. The poll asked respondents whether they would buy a home next to one of 17 undesirable locations including a prison, rubbish tip, busy school and electricity pylons. Just 16% said they would buy near or next to a rubbish tip. And of those who would 37% said they would seek a discount of at least 31% on the typical asking price of a property in that area. Some 48% of buyers would consider a property on a busy flight path and 36% would consider a property near a cliff susceptible to erosion. Of those who would, half would expect at least a 31% reduction in the asking price. Blights that buyers were less concerned about included, wind turbines or solar panels, next to or near a school and above a restaurant or take away. ‘We have all seen in vivid detail just how devastating the floods have been over the past month. Flooding seems to becoming a more regular occurrence, and prospective buyers are likely to be more aware of the risks associated with buying a property on a flood plain than maybe they have been in the past,’ said Alex Gosling, the firm’s chief executive officer. ‘Home owners looking to sell a property on a known flood plain may well need to be willing to discount hard if they want to secure a quick sale and it is no surprise that living next to a rubbish tip came out at the bottom of the heap,’ he pointed out. ‘No-one necessarily wants to live next door to a rubbish tip or under a busy flight path, but sometimes budget constraints mean that might be the only option, particularly if you want to buy your dream property or you’re a first time buyer,’ he explained. ‘If you are buying a property that is in an undesirable location, make sure you do your research. The last thing you want to do is buy something that you regret buying soon after and then struggle to sell. Saying that, at the right price, you could get far more for your money than you would a few streets away, if you’re willing to compromise on the undesirability of the location,’ he added. Continue reading
Homes For Sale Fairfax Station, VA
Local Realtor Jennifer Mead 703-596-5326 http://virginiaishome.com/homesforsalefairfaxstationva/ Continue reading
