Residents at Olive Standring House Help Boost Flood Resilience
Residents at Olive Standring House have been taking advantage of the recent spell of good weather to brighten up their homes - and strengthen vital flood‑resilience measures at the Independent Living Scheme.
The activity forms part of the ongoing “Resilient Roch” project, delivered by VolkerStevin and Watertight, which is working across the borough to improve protection for homes with a history of flooding or those at risk. Olive Standring House was among the properties affected during the Boxing Day floods of 2015, when residents had to be rescued after severe flooding hit the area.
Teams from Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, Rochdale Borough Council, the Environment Agency, and contractors joined residents on site to refresh and improve the planters around the scheme. The aim is twofold:
- to enhance the outdoor environment for residents, and
- to support practical measures that help manage water flow and reduce flood risk.
The collaborative effort reflects a wider push to ensure that vulnerable homes are better equipped to cope with extreme weather events, which have become increasingly common in recent years.
As part of Resilient Roch, other homes across the borough will soon benefit from upgraded resilience features, including:
- Flood‑resistant doors
- Automated sump pumps
- Deployable flood barriers
These improvements are designed to reduce the impact of future flooding and give residents greater peace of mind.
Olive Standring House has long been a symbol of Littleborough’s resilience. The community’s involvement in this latest project shows how residents, local organisations and partners continue to work together to protect homes and strengthen preparedness for future flooding.
