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The Baslow Flood Group (the ‘BFG’) was formed in the aftermath of Storm Babet which resulted in the devastating flooding of numerous homes, businesses and community assets, mainly in the Nether End area of Baslow, in October 2023. This led to many residents having to leave their homes, some only returning over a year later. Businesses were forced to close, some permanently. It caused enormous upheaval, emotional stress and financial burden, even for those who were fully insured.
Lucy Burrell and Pen Thompson CBE, both residents of Nether End whose homes were flooded, came together shortly after the flood with a very clear shared objective. They were determined to do everything possible in an attempt to ensure Baslow properties were not flooded in the future. They were keen that, although all owners could (and should) take individual action to protect their own properties, the better option would be for a flood not to happen at all in the future, and that led them to having a three-step approach:
prevent flood water reaching the village (so looking at ways to put in flood preventative measures further up on the moors to either absorb, divert or ‘slow the flow’),
if flood water did reach the village, ensure this does not end up in properties (for instance, looking at dredging Barbrook as part of a regular programme of maintenance and also ensuring drains in the village are regularly cleared and maintained), and finally
if flood water is threatening to encroach into properties, ensure properties are protected by individual flood prevention measures (such as flood barriers on doors).
Lucy and Pen encouraged others who had been affected, or may be at risk of future flooding, to come together and share ideas, thus forming the Baslow Flood Group. Although initially the focus of the BFG was centred on Nether End, as this was the area that had borne the brunt in 2023, attention is now being widened throughout the village, particularly in the Derwent Drive area.
The BFG hold periodic meetings, usually when there is a significant update to report or when it would be useful to gather the opinions of the community.
Everyone is welcome and details of meetings are shared on the BFG WhatsApp group. Please do let Lucy know if you would like to be added to this group (07814 495088).
Positive Steps
Positive Steps
Since Storm Babet, some very positive steps have been taken.
Silt Removal
Silt Removal
The Environment Agency (EA) have removed silt and stones in Barbrook and are returning to remove the build up at the side of Barbrook Cottage.
Village Flood Plan
Village Flood Plan
The Parish Council have developed their village flood plan and Jane Buckham and Sarah Porter have attended flood warden training and are now officially registered. Please do contact Jane if you have a specific flood query or concern (sjbuckham@yahoo.co.uk). They have only needed to jump into action once, but their presence and support was greatly appreciated, even if in the end the waters fortunately subsided and all properties remained dry.
Multiple Agencies
Multiple Agencies
Any long-term solution will require the involvement of multiple agencies such as the Local Authority, the Parish Council, the Environment Agency, Severn Trent Water, Natural England, the Eastern Moors Partnership (EMP), Trent Rivers Trust and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, who all have an important role to play. The BFG are in contact with these agencies and are hoping to shortly join a collaborative discussion group which will bring the community voice to the agenda.
Chatsworth
Chatsworth
The BFG are delighted that Chatsworth has become an incredibly supportive partner. The Devonshire Group’s Head of Natural Capital is a key contact and attends all BFG meetings. They are committed to flood prevention, mitigation and management and have ongoing work and plans together with other partners.
Chatsworth have also committed funding and resources to investigate potential effective flood prevention measures. They are installing leaky dams on the Heathy Lea Brook this summer and have installed flow gauges to monitor water flow, with one being placed by the Barbrook bridge. Chatsworth has a monitoring station on the Estate which gathers rainfall and land saturation data which may have the potential to give an early warning of a flood in Baslow.
In discussion with Chatsworth, the BFG have proposed a number of ideas including a potential flood plain and Chatsworth are liaising with Natural England and the EA for approval for this and other identified measures. There is no doubt that Chatsworth enables the BFG, and the village as a whole, to have a greater voice and the BFG continue to be extremely grateful for their continued commitment, help and support.
Eastern Moors Partnership
Eastern Moors Partnership
The BFG also liaises with the Eastern Moors Partnership who manage Big Moor. The EMP have been working with the EA, Natural England and Moors for the Future on a series of initiatives aimed at increasing the ability of the moors to retain water, thereby reducing the fire risk in summer and reducing the flooding risk in winter. These include:
Barbrook Water Level Monitoring from April 2025, in conjunction with the EA, in order to have a detailed base line of water levels and flows, possibly create a flooding alert system for the village and to monitor the interventions on the moors to see if they are having a positive effect on reducing peak flow water levels and thus village flooding.
A second large pond in the old Bar Brook Reservoir to improve the habitat for water voles and dragon flies but also to hold more water.
Up to fourteen leaky dams on Barbrook above Bar Road - The first is to be completed this year with Eastern Moors funding as a pilot project, and the rest over the next 2 or 3 years subject to a successful pilot and successful funding applications.
Moors for the Future continue their planting of Sphagnum moss in suitable places on the East Moors.
Grant Application
Grant Application
In a recent development the BFG, although remaining a distinct group, has been brought under the Baslow Environment Group umbrella to enable a grant application for funding that will enable vital surveys and modelling to proceed, which will give a better understanding of which future flood works are likely to be effective, including buffering wet meadows and establishing holding ponds.
Beaver Initiative Consultation
Beaver Initiative Consultation
At the last BFG meeting, held at the beginning of April, Emma Datta of the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, discussed a forthcoming beaver initiative consultation. This is being rolled out in the summer and will give everyone the opportunity to learn more about potential plans to re-introduce beavers into the area and to feed back into this process. Please look out for further details.
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