Buying House and Flooding Information

[rjben]

Hi,

Can anybody help? I'm looking at a house but before putting in an offer I'd like to find out inforamtion like height above sea level, height above water table / flood plain etc. Does anybody have any links that could help? (Preferbaly FOC!)

Thanks,

Rob

[minicity]

www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/?lang=_e

I think this might help.

[crankedup]

Also you could ask the vendor the question of flooding directly. The vendor is required by law to give an honest and direct answer. Make sure you have a witness with you.

[ewenm]

Streetmap.co.uk at the 25000 scale gives you the Ordnance Survey map so you can see for yourself.

[Krysa]

Please be aware that the EA maps are indicative only. I can show you a number of instances where they are misleading (rather than inaccurate ... fine dividing line), plus they do not show in detail such meaningful things such as depth and duration of flood water.

Another problem is that the EA maps only show one set of parameters. The advice about asking for flood history is wise, as there may be an issue that does not fit into the constraints of the EA maps.

After this, if you think there are still unanswered questions, you should consult with somebody professionally qualified to give advice (hydrologist, or hydrology specialists from the civil engineering or chartered environmental surveying professions).

Krysa <----hydrological scientist and chartered environmental surveyor!

[Momentofmadness]

www.upmystreet.com

[Mrs Fish]

James here:

I'm prepared to be more scathing about the EA maps. The model used if it is the same as the planning one is fundamentally flawed for this purpose, so really they are a load of bollox.

But may be indicative of potential flooding

[rjben]

Gents,

Thank you very much for the information. I'll let you know how I get on.

Regards,

Rob

[Davel]

It might be worth talking to your present property insurers to see if they would cover the proposed house. The post code will likely be needed.

I was told that a friend of ours had cover withdrawn once it was identified as being within a possible flood area. I can't confim this or otherwise.

[Flat in Fifth]

Mr Fish said:

James here: I'm prepared to be more scathing about the EA maps. The model used if it is the same as the planning one is fundamentally flawed for this purpose, so really they are a load of bollox. But may be indicative of potential flooding

Seconded.

At home where we are shows the lowest risk level 1000:1. Yet 100m away which is actually lower than we are shows as no risk.

The truth of the matter is that the highest ever floods in history would need to be exceeded by an increase in river height of about 10 metres over that flood level for water even to reach the bottom of our drive, which is itself a slope up to the house.

When you speak to the EA engineer he admits that there is no chance that the property will ever flood. His actual words were, "if your property floods then where I live we are well stuffed, and I don't consider myself at risk."

Yet when asked why the model shows as it does, seems its a case of computers says no.

Already people have lost sales because of this feckwittedness which includes assumptions that make even the pro-global warming theorists seem conservative.



>> Edited by Flat in Fifth on Wednesday 1st March 10:28