IT has been suggested that a home next to the River Weaver could incorporate a ‘raft design’ in its redevelopment.

That’s according to Weaverham Parish Council, commenting on plans from one homeowner to demolish their home of two decades and rebuild an exact replica 60cm up.

Peter Wilkinson, Vice Chair of Weaverham Parish Council, said: “If these flood events are getting more severe and frequent, there’s no guarantee this will be sufficient to what the situation is in 20 years time.

“There are houses on London Road, possibly built in the 1940s or 50s, and if you look at those houses you can see a steel girder which forms the basis of the raft so the whole property can be jacked up and filled in with bricks. The services are connected with flexible connections.

“It is just a suggestion to future proof, not official advice. It’s just what we thought was helpful… because it would probably not add to the cost of what they are doing to incorporate that design.”

The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported last week that the owners of Wharf Cottage have come up with a unique response to combat flooding in and around Northwich.

Writing the plans’ design and access statement, agents Deluxe Architecture said: “This is our clients home and as can be understood, living under the threat of flood on what seems to be a yearly occurrence does not bode well on the health of any person living in these circumstances. 

“This aside, the regularity of the floods are now affecting the ability to adequately insure and therefore reducing any possibility of resale in the future. Our clients have been resident for over 20 years and the property has family ties beyond that.

“It is our proposal to demolish the existing property and rebuild it to the same plan and design. The new building will be set at a level of 600mm [60cm, 2 ft].”

The only change to the two-bedroom property will be the addition of a raised decking, replacing a tiled patio.