Competition could give ideas for 'flood-proof self build'

A competition to see how architects would tackle the problem of building on flood plains could offer insight to prospective self builders.

Four winners have been chosen from a variety of entrants with ideas ranging from "timber-skinned glass living rooms to concrete dados and roof gardens to raised footpaths.

However, the organisers narrowed the wealth of ideas down to three key points tthat could help anyone looking to build in a flooding zone.

Raising a home and its surroundings "above ground level", allowing part or all of the property "to float in the event of a flood" and allowing the "continuous use" of a property if water does happen to enter the dwelling were listed by Norwich Union as the main solutions.

In related news, the British Insurance Brokers Association has urged the government to work alongside the insuranceindustry to protect households from flooding, including free flood surveys for homes in high-risk areas.