In what appears an interesting instance of sensible local weather adaptation, flood insurance coverage specialist Flood Re has unveiled a everlasting flood resilient backyard at Howbery Park in Oxfordshire — a dwelling demonstration of how considerate out of doors design can mitigate flood danger whereas enhancing biodiversity and aesthetic attraction.
The everlasting, free public entry, flood resilient backyard has been arrange on a web site owned by HR Wallingford, which helps develop resilient approaches to flooding. Flood Re says its mission is to advertise the uptake of property flood resilience measures throughout the UK.
The backyard builds on the silver-medal profitable Flood Resilient Backyard which debuted on the Chelsea Flower Present in 2024, a collaboration between Flood Re, environmental professional Dr Ed Barsley and backyard designer Naomi Slade. It served as a sensible blueprint for a way out of doors areas may also help scale back flood dangers whereas enhancing property aesthetics, demonstrating how an peculiar terrace home backyard can incorporate resilient design.
The reimagined Flood Resilient Backyard at Howbery Enterprise Park, additionally designed by Dr Ed Barsley with further landscaping and planting design by Belderbos Landscapes, exhibits how a mix of performance and aesthetics in backyard design may also help deal with the pressing want for flood mitigation within the UK, the place one in 4 properties faces the chance of flooding.
Sponsored by Flood Re, the joint initiative between the UK authorities and the insurance coverage trade which exists to advertise the affordability and availability of flood insurance coverage for properties throughout the UK, the brand new everlasting backyard helps the ground-breaking Construct Again Higher scheme. Launched in 2022, Construct Again Higher permits qualifying policyholders to profit from as much as £10,000 in direction of the set up of flood resilience measures, the scheme now supplied by over 70% of the UK family property insurance coverage market.
Modifications to outdoors area and gardens, together with inner adjustments corresponding to the usage of specialist plaster, raised electrical sockets and tiled flooring, not solely make an enormous distinction in lowering the impression of, and potential for flood, however are an important first line of defence, guaranteeing households can recuperate extra swiftly from flooding and stand higher protected towards future incidents.
The brand new everlasting backyard exhibits how it’s potential for outdoor area to reply and adapt to the challenges of heavy rain and floor water flooding by embracing the water as a function and harnessing it for future use. The pond, for instance, doubles as a sump to gather water and slowly enable it to empty away, while a wise rainwater tank permits distant drain-down forward of predicted rainfall.
The backyard additionally includes a vary of fastidiously curated wild flower meadow, edible and shade resilient vegetation alongside water lovers corresponding to Baldellia ranunculoides, Caltha palustris, Lychnis flos-cuculi, Rodgersia and Juncus ensifolius.
Kelly Ostler-Coyle, Director of Company Affairs, Flood Re, commented:
“We’re thrilled that the flood resilient backyard now has a everlasting house, open and accessible to the broader public. Outside areas like this are very important in offering a pure first line of defence towards flooding. This backyard demonstrates how considerate selections in vegetation and panorama design can supply each aesthetic worth and tangible safety — serving to to minimise bodily injury and emotional pressure when floods happen. If flood-resistant options and built-in water storage had been adopted throughout communities, the collective profit could be transformative.”
Andy Brown, Joint CEO, HR Wallingford, commented:
“We’re delighted that Flood Re selected our enterprise park for the perpetually house for the flood resilient backyard. It appears magnificent and I’m certain will encourage everybody who visits, in addition to offering a tranquil area for people who work right here. We count on there to be extra intense and extra frequent rainfall in coming years, as an impression of local weather change, however resilient gardens corresponding to this one will assist scale back the chance of flooding, lessening the impression on lives, the atmosphere and infrastructure.
Dr Ed Barsley, The Environmental Design Studio commented:
“With this backyard, we needed to reveal that flood resilient design needn’t be a compromise, you’ll be able to create areas which can be each stunning and enriching, regardless of the climate. The unique backyard on the RHS Chelsea Flower Present was a magical, if fleeting, second. In reimagining it for a everlasting setting, we’ve labored exhausting to make sure it may endure and thrive for many years to come back. I’m delighted it now has a long-lasting house, one that gives schooling, enhances biodiversity, helps handle flood danger, and presents a relaxed, reflective area for all who go to.”
