About the RAIN Project

We are working with communities in the Harpers Brook and Wootton Brook catchments until 2027 to trial a holistic approach to flood resilience. We are implementing and assessing flood resilience measures at three different levels: across the overall catchment area, within specific communities, and within properties.

Across the Catchment

At catchment level, we are working with the natural landscape to introduce natural flood management (NFM) techniques that are designed to slow the rate at which water runs off the landscape, with the aim to help reduce flood risk to communities downstream.

Within the Community

Communities are at the core of RAIN. We are working closely with local communities and residents to provide training, events, resources, and volunteering opportunities to help improve preparedness and resilience.

At Individual Property Level

We are supporting property owners to understand their personal flood risk. This includes providing advice and educating property owners about the use of Property Flood Resilience (PFR) measures to help improve preparedness and recoverability at their own address, in the event of a flood.

The Catchments

The project is working with communities within the boundaries of two river catchments:
Harpers Brook in North Northamptonshire and Wootton Brook in West Northamptonshire.

West Northamptonshire – Wootton Brook

Collingtree, Wootton, Hunsbury, Grange Park, Blisworth, Milton Malsor, Rothersthorpe, Gayton, Quinton, Courteenhall and Hackleton

North Northamptonshire – Harpers Brook

South Corby, Newton and Little Oakley, Rushton, Stanion, Brigstock, Sudborough and Lowick

Why these communities?

Within the Harpers Brook and Wootton Brook catchments, there has been more than 350 flood incidents reported since detailed records commenced in 2012. Data modelling has however identified that traditional hard engineered flood schemes are not considered viable here, therefore an innovative approach is required to build resilience in each catchment.

West Northamptonshire Council, in partnership with North Northamptonshire Council, was successful in bidding to trial this innovative, holistic approach.

Get involved if you’re a Catchment Resident, Farmer or Landowner

Residents

If you live within our catchments, we want to work with you. You have expert local knowledge and understand the needs in your community. We want to hear your ideas and understand what could help you and how you may want to get involved.

FIND OUT MORE

Farmers & Landowners

If you farm or own land within our catchments, we want to work with you. We are looking for farmers, landowners and land managers with an interest in supporting nature recovery programmes to get in touch.