I was delighted to attend the House of Lords launch for the fourth Bricks and Water report on January 22, 2025 which was produced by the cross-party think tank Policy Connect.
The Westminster Sustainable Business Forum collaborated to produce a report that presents insights on managing flood and coastal erosion risks throughout England.
The winter season between 2023 and 2024 demonstrated the severe difficulties resulting from extreme weather conditions. Records show this was the season with the greatest number of named storms ever. Storm Babet emerged as a noteworthy event with financial damages estimated to range from £450 to £650 million.
With 6.3 million properties in England at risk of flooding, according to the Environment Agency, the challenges extend beyond residential areas to impact critical transportation and utility networks. This pressing issue demands strategic and forward-thinking solutions.
The Bricks and Water 4 report delves into these challenges, addressing the points of urban development, climate change, and policy needs. It presents eleven key recommendations for the new Government to drive meaningful, long-term improvements in flood and coastal erosion risk management. These recommendations focus on four critical areas:
- Planning Policy
- Flood Defence Funding and Maintenance
- Coastal Change
- Property Flood Resilience
A central theme of the report is the call for a strategic, long-term perspective that integrates planning reform with enhanced flood management strategies. By balancing sustainable development with community protection, the recommendations highlight the economic and societal benefits of proactive flood risk management in the face of climate change.
Key strategies emphasised in the report include:
- Relocating housing developments from areas with high flood risk potential.
- Maintaining existing flood defences within financial constraints.
- Preparing coastal communities to address rising sea levels.
Additionally, the report advocates for incorporating property-level flood resilience into building codes. These measures would protect homes, preserve insurability (beyond FloodRe ending in 2039), and ensure they remain liveable, even amid increasing flood risks.
Bricks and Water 4 sets the stage for decisive action, urging policymakers to adopt a forward-looking approach that secures a more resilient future for communities and infrastructure across England.
Written by Simon Crowther, Director.