Climate Thoughts with Brian

Homes at severe flood risk to be demolished by council

Councillors for Rhondda Cynon Taf council have approved the acquisition of 16 homes in Ynysybwl, which have been described as at ‘severe flood risk’. The homes in Clydach Terrace will be bought for £2,570,000 and are at high risk of flooding from the local river, Nant Clydach, with residents having suffered considerably with flooding owing to recent storms.

A council  report described their experiences, ‘During these recent storm events much of the pavement / highway was under water and the homes were rapidly inundated with flood water with internal flooding up to 1.96m in depth. There was extensive damage to many of the properties.’

The decision from the county council will include relocation costs for the residents concerned, as well as legal fees, and will remove an ongoing flooding risk for the community.

The report noted, ‘Approval of the recommendations would enable the Council to exercise its statutory and discretionary powers to intervene in respect of the ongoing risk to health, safety and property due to flooding.’

Several flood risk management strategies had been explored, including the construction of a raised flood defence wall. Councillors however supported the conclusion that ‘this was not ‘an economically viable option under the UK and Welsh Government funding rules for flood risk management purposes.’

Increased climate change risks

Serious consideration was taken of the increased risks posed by climate change, which meant that the homes could not remain, as the report pointed out, ‘Indeed, given the implications and expectations of further flooding due to climate change, flooding may become a more frequent occurrence.’

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council stated in their decision that their conclusions were conducted in line with their statutory aim to protect the community against the threat of climate change, a role they were taking seriously.

‘The Council can use such [statutory] powers for the benefit of the authority, its area or persons resident or present in its area. Use of this power would include protecting communities against the threat of climate change and from a high risk of flooding, through the purchasing of property for the reasons set out in this report.’

The Council also stated that funding for the purchase of the homes would come from available resources within the Council’s overall flood management programmes.

Climate change displacement

Around Wales and England, many homeowners have faced the challenge of having an ‘insurance nightmare’, where obtaining insurance has been difficult owing to climate related risks and when it is offered, the premiums have been high. Unable to protect, insure or sell their homes, these Ynysybwl residents have felt trapped in their own homes.

Although this instance has been described as a ‘unique set of circumstances’, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council has rightfully placed the safety of residents at a high level, and has acted decisively to prioritise the housing needs and the well-being needs of the community.

This may not be the first displacement of people and communities within the UK owing to climate change- what is certain though, is that it won’t be the last.