A new document has been unveiled to help better protect homes, businesses and properties from the risk of flooding.

The Property Flood Resilience Action Plan will see both the Government and industry collaborate to ensure property owners are suitably prepared for flooding, as well as speeding up the recovery process.

The report, chaired by Dr Peter Bonfield, highlights key features such as:

• the role of building regulations and certification, in encouraging use of flood resistant construction methods

• how rigorous independent standards can provide confidence in flood products across the industry

• how insurers can further increase their support for property owners installing flood resistant measures, particularly at the repair stage


In addition, an advice web portal (www.centre4resilience.org) has been established for homeowners, business owners and third parties to find the most relevant information on better protection for homes against flooding.

The advice includes:

• Precautionary actions to take to better protect your property from flooding

• Actions to take if your property is in imminent danger from flooding

• Live flood warnings

• Recent case studies and research

Floods Minister Thérèse Coffey said the plan "brings business and government together" to tackle the impact flooding has on people's lives.

"Our unprecedented £2.5 billion investment in flood defences will better protect 300,000 properties from floods by 2021," she said.

"But property-level measures are key to ensuring those who are unfortunate enough to suffer flooding can get back in their homes and businesses sooner and minimise the impact."

Dr Peter Bonfield added: "The Action Plan will help to give people and businesses the means to reduce the chances of their lives and livelihoods being disrupted by flooding. This is about both stopping the floodwaters getting in, and speeding recovery when it does."

The Property Flood Resilience Action Plan was created in collaboration between central government, the Environment Agency, insurers, surveyors, materials producers, the legal profession and flood action groups.

(LM)