What Strategic Land Investors Need to Know About Water and House Building in the UK

Rain is not new to the UK. But the rate at which it falls may be so. why? Climate change could be a factor in flooding in parts of the UK during the winter of 2013-2014. Oxford University research Guardian [April 2014] stated that “events that were once very rare have occurred far more frequently than those in the local infrastructure, much more frequently for residents in crowded areas. Indicates a serious flood.

This happens when building a new home is important to the country. As more houses are built, roads, parking lots and roofs increase, preventing the natural absorption of rainwater. However, city planners, landscape architects, municipalities, and contractors are responding appropriately. They have demonstrated that communities and homes can be designed to mitigate rainwater and the damage it can cause.

For example, rain garden and bioswale technologies that run rainwater for natural infiltration of water into aquifers, both at home and at a broader community base. UK engineering company HR Wallingford, an environmental engineering organization, has done extensive work on the soakaway, trench, and basin that make up the infiltration design. The company will also conduct runoff and stormwater storage analysis and build a stormwater storage system that clients can use to conserve water for landscaping and other non-drinking applications during the dry season.

These types of tools are the 20th century development paradigm that led the most rainwater through gray infrastructure, concrete and metal pipes that led water from homes and businesses to natural streams and rivers, or municipal treatment facilities. Break. Experience has shown that these systems are not sufficient for heavy rainfall and the population is growing.

For development investors such as developers working through real asset fund managers, this can lead to increased development costs. And sometimes not-every site is unique and a sustainable water management system may be cheaper than a “gray infrastructure” based on traditional pipes. However, even if the cost is high, it will become a more valuable asset in the long run and reduce property insurance costs. National Flood Forum [NFF] charity calls have tripled by early 2014 as a result of previous winter flood events. It was not uncommon for homeowners to double their premiums [eg £ 2,000 / year], but one small business owner said that annual premiums had increased from £ 4,000 to £ 25,000 Reported. A smarter design for the new build community can help avoid that.

You will also need to hire an independent financial advisor to get a better sense of where land development may fit your investment risk profile.