Premium block paving, kerb and decorative gravel manufacturer Brett Landscaping is advising landscape architects to discuss climate resilience measures with homeowners, as insurance companies highlight a rise in claims related to flash flooding.
Recent analysis from insurance provider Aviva revealed that a more than a third (35%) of insurance claims for flood damage in the UK are received during the summer months of June, July and August, often caused by flash flooding following heavy rainfall.
Brett Landscaping has been working closely with a number of environmental policy focused organisations, including the Association of SuDS Authorities (ASA), which represents local authorities across England with supporting the delivery of sustainable drainage, to highlight the risk of using non-permeable systems for home driveways and paved areas.
The ASA advises that there are some measures that can be taken to compensate for lost permeable areas and habitat an extended driveway around a property may cause, including the planting of evergreen hedges, the use of water butts, and choosing permeable block paving for driveways.
In addition, Brett Landscaping recently supplied its permeable block paving to a sustainable, climate-resilient garden designed by multi-award-winning garden designer Leon Davis at this year’s RHS Tatton Park Flower Show for the North West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.
The Unpave the Way garden was produced to demonstrate how taking a holistic approach to garden design, using sustainable drainage, rainwater harvesting and permeable paving, homeowners can future-proof their front and back garden spaces.
There is currently a growing national trend of paved front gardens which increases the speed of rainwater runoff into drains and increases flood risk to communities. The North West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee argues there are different ways of designing gardens to combat this and has developed the Unpave the Way project to educate people on how easily this can be done to inspire householders to change their thinking.
Brett Landscaping is encouraging landscaping specialists to advise their customers on the benefits of pursuing a climate resilient design and use of climate resilient products and systems.
Jamie Gledhill, technical engineer at Brett Landscaping explains: “While homeowners should not alter their terrain without understanding how this will affect other properties, there is still a situation where building work proceeds without due diligence by the property owner.
“With UK property insurers now also advising homeowners to mitigate the risks of flash flooding during the summer months there is more impetus than ever on the professionals to offer accurate advice on the best way to future proof the exterior of homes during garden and driveway renovations.
“We hope that in time permeable surfaces will become 'the norm' for homeowners to use on their driveways and garden areas. This will help us all contribute towards responsibly managing surface water from our properties by keeping it out of the drainage systems and mimicing natural processes."
