Home blighted by Environment Agency

greco_2

The Environment Agency has inexplicably changed the risk from groundwater run off from low to high in my postcode making it difficult to sell. I had a favourable flood risk report done just over three years ago, no problem securing a mortgage and flood insurance. I’m told it’s all done by computer modelling with no human input. If they sent someone to look around, they would see that the risk is negligible. Do any forum members know if there is a way to challenge this decision? TIA.

theartfullodger

Google " challenge environment agency flood risk assessment  " and some intelligence will be revealed.

Grumpy_chap

greco_2 said:

The Environment Agency has inexplicably changed the risk from groundwater run off from low to high in my postcode making it difficult to sell. I had a favourable flood risk report done just over three years ago, no problem securing a mortgage and flood insurance. I’m told it’s all done by computer modelling with no human input. If they sent someone to look around, they would see that the risk is negligible. Do any forum members know if there is a way to challenge this decision? TIA.

They may be taking into account increased impact from climate change plus more recent data.  Ground water levels in many areas exceeded maximum historical levels late in the winter 2023 - 24.  If the EA have data such as that and don't then update their models, would the EA be accused of negligence for ignoring what is now known fact?

greco_2

Grumpy_chap said:

greco_2 said:

The Environment Agency has inexplicably changed the risk from groundwater run off from low to high in my postcode making it difficult to sell. I had a favourable flood risk report done just over three years ago, no problem securing a mortgage and flood insurance. I’m told it’s all done by computer modelling with no human input. If they sent someone to look around, they would see that the risk is negligible. Do any forum members know if there is a way to challenge this decision? TIA.

They may be taking into account increased impact from climate change plus more recent data.  Ground water levels in many areas exceeded maximum historical levels late in the winter 2023 - 24.  If the EA have data such as that and don't then update their models, would the EA be accused of negligence for ignoring what is now known fact?

Hard to disagree with that but I’ve emailed them to ask the reasons why they’ve made this change. I live in the Yorkshire Wolds which are the most northerly chalk hills in the UK and as such are extremely well drained with surface water being very scarce throughout. Last winter was the eighth wettest on record and there were no issues. We had continuous rainfall for over 24 hours last weekend again with no issues. 

I can’t help feeling that the EA are not actually basing this change on data as it makes no sense. I could understand if the properties were built on clay ground but this is not the case.

horsewithnoname

If you look at the map then most of the country is “high risk”, which is about 3% I think. Just get a quote for insurance to see what difference it makes - very little! 

greco_2

Insurance isn’t an issue. The issue is that potential buyers backed out when they saw that the properties are high risk. The EA have effectively blighted the area by making this unjustified change.

horsewithnoname

Oh well if it’s unjustified then I’m sure you’ll get it reversed. 

user1977

greco_2 said:

I had a favourable flood risk report done just over three years ago

Assuming you mean one specific to your property (and not just the sort of low-resolution modelling you're complaining about) then why not wave that at buyers?

singhini

horsewithnoname said:

If you look at the map then most of the country is “high risk”, which is about 3% I think. Just get a quote for insurance to see what difference it makes - very little! 

What Map? 
Is there a link so i can take a look please

Grumpy_chap

singhini said:

What Map? 
Is there a link so i can take a look please

https://flood-map-for-planning.service.gov.uk/

In terms of the OP, if the prospective buyer that pulled out simply looked at the map, they can easily be spooked.  When I sold my last house, it was in the same post code as some flatlands which were floodplain and spent most of the winter under water.  The buyer (via the Solicitors) asked the question "does the property benefit from any flood defences?"  After falling off my chair laughing, I responded curtly "the house is at the top of the hill".  The buyer still proceeded - quite why they did not recall that the house was at the top of the hill from when they did the viewing is anybody's guess...

greco_2

horsewithnoname said:

Oh well if it’s unjustified then I’m sure you’ll get it reversed. 

Do you understand the meaning of the word ‘unjustified'. It may not be what you think.