In 2025, we embarked on the first phase of a major climate resilience project that will see us future-proofing a residential park in Derbyshire’s Derwent Valley against the growing threat posed by climate change.
We are working with the owner and occupants of Merebrook Park at Whatstandwell, near Matlock, which offers luxurious, detached residential homes set within a UNESCO World Heritage site. The site’s rural location and close proximity to the River Derwent is a major draw for its residents, but the UK’s increasingly unpredictable climate has caused it to be threatened by flooding on three separate occasions during the last 20 years. These incidents have left residents and the owner of the site anxious about what the future holds as seasonal flood events become an increasingly common occurrence in the UK.
Keen to protect residents and their property, and offer them peace of mind, Director of the park Charles Daley turned to Flood Technology Group for help, having heard about our innovative, award-winning flood adaptive technology. Over the lifespan of this project, our Flood Adaptive Platform will be fitted to several existing lodges, giving them the unique ability to sense and react to rising floodwater. Meanwhile, our very latest model, the Concealed Flood Adaptive Platform (on which the mechanical jacks are completely hidden from view, having been neatly tucked away within the walls of the lodge or caravan during the manufacturing process) will be installed within a number of brand new lodges before they are located on the site.
The Flood Adaptive Platform works seamlessly with FloodAdapt, our innovative flood early warning system, which can be customised to any site owner’s specific requirements to provide highly accurate updates as a flood event unfolds to support the timely and safe evacuation of people.
Mr Daley said: “Our residents don’t want to have to move because they love living here and there’s huge demand for new lodges on the area of our site that’s not yet developed, thanks to its picturesque, riverside location. However, we recognise that flooding may happen more frequently due to our changing climate, so we wanted to find a way to future-proof people’s homes to give both the residents and us, as responsible park operators, peace of mind.
“When we heard about Flood Technology Group’s work with other UK holiday and residential park sites, we realised that this type of technology was the solution that we’ve been searching for! It’s such a relief to know that there’s a way to protect both people and property, as well as the future viability of our business, despite the growing threat posed by climate change.”
A resident of the site, whose home is close to the river, said: “I absolutely love living at Merebrook and see it as my forever home. However the risk of flooding, especially as the climate is changing so fast, has worried me. I am so relieved to hear this system can be fitted to my home! I can now relax and enjoy this beautiful location, knowing that my most important possession is safe.”
