Larkfleet has revealed plans for an experimental flood-proof house in Lincolnshire which in the future could help unlock land for new homes.

Plans for the initiative have been submitted to South Holland District Council. If approved, the blueprint could provide a model that would allow housebuilding to take place on thousands sites which cannot be developed due to flood risk.

The developer is planning to build a three-bedroom detached house in Weston Hills, near Spalding, which can be raised up to 1.5 metres above ground level by eight mechanical jacks.

The 65-tonne home will site on a steel ring beam in place of conventional foundations and be made up of a modular steel-frame design, which can be disassembled and re-erected on another site on conventional foundations as a family residence.

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Houses of this design would be jacked up well ahead in preparation of flood waters, based on advance warnings from various organisations such as the Environment Agency.

The mechanical jacking system, which is powered by a central motor, gear box and drive shafts, is capable of lifting the home to its full height above ground in less than five minutes.

Work on building the house could begin in early 2017. Experiments with raising and lowering the house, including testing long-term maintenance and operation of the jacking systems, will run for up to five years.

Rooftop solar panels and a battery would provide the house with some continuing electricity supply when raised above the ground and the water and sewage would remain connected through flexible hoses. However, it is not envisaged that residents would remain in occupation during floods. Instead, the householders would pack up, lock up and jack up the home before taking refuge in temporary accommodation on higher ground elsewhere.

Karl Hick, CEO of The Larkfleet Group of Companies, said: "The elevating house effectively eliminates the risk of flood damage to homes so that more land across the country can be approved for future home building. This will help to tackle the 'housing crisis' that is being caused by the demand for new housing far exceeding the supply."

(LM/MH)