Correspondence: Simon Mclean, Sheffield Hallam University, 40 Milton Drive, Ravenshead, Nottinghamshire NG15 9BE, UK

¹is Senior Lecturer in Building Surveying at Sheffield Hallam University, UK. Simon is a Chartered Building Surveyor practicing in the United Kingdom. He teaches practical Building Surveying at Sheffield Hallam University. Being located professionally in South Yorkshire and the East Midlands he viewed the events of 2006–2007 when large areas of Sheffield, Rotherham, Humberside and Nottinghamshire were subject to severe flooding.

²is Professor of Building Engineering and Head of Construction, Cost and Surveying at Sheffield Hallam University. Paul's experience is varied, having spent some years in the construction industry as a project manager where he gained practical knowledge before entering the world of academia. Paul has not lost his industrial roots and he has written numerous publications on construction and surveying-related topics including authoring and co-authoring eight text books that have practical application. He has also designed degree courses that specifically address the requirements of building engineers and surveyors.

Received 27 January 2009; Revised 27 January 2009.

Abstract

Recent flooding in the United Kingdom has resulted in a backlash against building activities taking place on floodplains, with further concerns being expressed that insurers may withhold flood damage cover from properties in areas which carry a flood risk. Given the high demand for new homes and a lack of alternative building land, a prohibition of building on floodplain land is unsustainable. The authors propose a proactive regime of site investigation, risk analysis and risk management before developing floodplain sites. This regime will comply with government guidelines published in PPS25, which deals with 'Development and Flood Risk'. It is accepted that perceived risk levels on certain sites may be deemed too high, even after proactive management action has been deployed to appease the insurers. The authors seek to consider alternative property designs, which can accommodate rising flood waters and reduce damage costs to minimal acceptable levels, in all but the most extreme of flood conditions. The paper contains examples and evaluation of flood-resistant technology; this is undertaken in order to establish whether an alternative strategy to the abandonment of development proposals is a practical viable proposition within the United Kingdom.