Image description: Home standing in flood water. Photo by Helena Jankovičová Kováčová / Pexels.

A new Property Flood Resilience Laboratory (PFR Lab) has opened at the University of Hull, officially launched by Flooding Minister Emma Hardy. Developed in partnership with the Environment Agency and Flood Re, the facility provides businesses with access to advanced testing and research capabilities to accelerate the development of flood-resilient technologies for homes and commercial buildings.

The opening comes as the UK faces growing flood risks, with one in four properties projected to be at risk from rivers, surface water or sea by 2050. The lab aims to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world application, offering a space where products can be trialled and refined under controlled, repeatable flood conditions. It also supports the wider government ambition to invest £10.5 billion in new and maintained flood defences through to 2036.

The initiative is significant in signalling a shift towards property-level resilience as a key complement to traditional flood defence schemes. By combining expertise from academia, government and the insurance sector, the Hull facility is designed to drive innovation, improve standards and build confidence in new resilience measures.

The PFR Lab is expected to play a central role in testing and certifying next-generation flood products, potentially influencing building standards, planning policy and insurer practices. Its success may also pave the way for similar hubs elsewhere in the UK, supporting a more resilient built environment as climate pressures intensify.