Work has taken place at two properties on a Newark estate to help reduce the risk of floodwater entering the homes.

Property Flood Resilience (PFR) measures have been installed at the bungalows in the Beacon Heights area of the town where internal flooding has taken place for several years following heavy rainfall.

The multi-thousand-pound project has been led by the lead local flood authority, Nottinghamshire County Council – in partnership with Severn Trent Water and Whitehouse Construction Ltd – and has involved the installation of flood-resilient doors and an external pump, as well as the sealing of brickwork.

Linda Williams, whose elderly father John Hunt’s home is one of the two bungalows to have benefitted from the PFR measures, said the work will now give him ‘peace of mind’.

She said: “We now no longer feel as anxious when it rains heavily. We also feel reassured that we have got the support network around us and people who can help who are only a phone call or email away.

“We are very thankful to Nottinghamshire County Council, Severn Trent Water and Whitehouse for everything they have done, it really is much appreciated. 

“When my dad was flooded before, someone came to see him the next day and talked us all through what could be done.

“The support network has been brilliant, and everyone cares and it’s so sincere – it’s like a personal touch for which we are really grateful.”

County Council Leader, Councillor Sam Smith, who supported Mr Hunt and the Beacon Heights estate during the flooding events in his capacity as their County Councillor for Newark East, visited Mr Hunt’s bungalow to see how the flood resilient measures he had helped secure are now protecting the properties.

He said: “Flooding has been a devastating and traumatic experience for John and his family, so I am delighted that working with our partners his home now benefits from a package of measures to protect it.

“He now has peace of mind because of the work which has been carried out to his bungalow and I would like to thank our Flood Risk Management Team for providing him with such fantastic support – which forms part of a wider effort to achieve flood resilient communities in Nottinghamshire.

“As a council, we recognise that there are properties across the county like this and therefore we have developed an approach with our partners to make sure those vulnerable to flooding can be protected.

“We know that flooding devastates communities, and that is why we are committed to delivering solutions to protect vulnerable residents like John and their homes.”

The PFR programme aims to help reduce the risk and consequences of flooding to properties across the county and to date 282 properties have been protected in the last four years – with a further 50 in progress.

A third property in the Beacon Heights area of Newark will also benefit from PFR measures in the coming months.

The project to protect the properties in the Beacon Heights neighbourhood has cost around £75,000 and has been jointly funded by the county council and Severn Trent Water.

Karl Wilson, Waste Catchment Lead for Nottinghamshire at Severn Trent Water, said: “We know that flooding can have a devastating impact on people’s lives, so we’re thrilled to have had a hand in completing this work much to the benefit of those living in the properties.

“It was great to work alongside Nottinghamshire County Council and Whitehouse to support those customers and make their properties more secure and resilient during adverse weather.”

A spokesperson for Whitehouse Construction Ltd, which has received the King’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation for its flood mitigation products, said it was proud  to have provided effective PFR solutions to numerous properties across Nottinghamshire as part of its partnership with the County Council.

The spokesperson said: “The nature of PFR allows residents like Mr Hunt and his daughter to actively participate in protecting their home from flooding. It is incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact our installations have made and to receive such encouraging feedback directly from the residents.

“In collaboration with Nottinghamshire County Council and Severn Trent Water, Whitehouse successfully installed a sump pump system for Mr Hunt to redirect floodwater away from his property.

“To further reduce the risk of water entering the home, Whitehouse also fitted a BSI Kitemarked Flood Door.

“Overall, this initiative has been incredibly gratifying, providing Mr Hunt and his family with peace of mind, knowing that their home is better protected from flooding.”

For more information about flood support schemes in Nottinghamshire, visit Flood support schemes | Nottinghamshire County Council