A Twigworth couple call on government support after being flooded eight times
A couple who have been flooded eight times since 2007 say their home is unsellable.
Last updated 20th Mar 2024
Valerie and Derek Lown moved into their home in 2006. The following year they were flooded and have had to put up with the nightmare of flooding a further seven times.
Valerie, said: "Neither of us sleep anymore because we're so stressed. We're living on a knife edge all the time."
They have just moved back into their home after being evacuated in January following Storm Henk.
They believe the flooding is being made worse by the government's approval of new homes on flood plains.
Before buying the house, the couple were aware the property had flooded in 2002, but the Environment Agency (EA) website said this was only likely to happen every 100 years.
They are now being warned their home could flood every year.
Valerie Lown believes her home is unsellable and is calling on the government for compensation.
She told us: "The first thing I say to my husband in the morning is 'is it raining, what's the weather like?'. We're frightened to death about what the future holds.
"Our house is unsellable, we know that. If anyone bought it they wouldn't get any insurance.
"Fortunately we've kept the same insurance company since 2007 but eventually it'll reach a stage when they say they can't afford to keep us on their books anymore. Then what will we do?"
The couple are now in talks with MP Laurence Robertson, who is sympathetic towards their situation. He is due to visit the couple next week to look at what could be done.
A spokesperson, from The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: "As part of a ÂŁ450m government investment across the Midlands, we are supporting the Tewkesbury Flood Warden Scheme, as well as surveying properties in the Severn Vale to identify suitable flood prevention measures, including pumps, flood barriers and air brick covers.
"This forms part of a wider ÂŁ5.2bn funding package across the country to help communities become more resilient to flooding and climate change."