New flood scheme aims to future-proof Leeds against climate change
A major Leeds accountancy firm has thrown its weight behind a new community initiative aimed at securing the city’s flood defences for the next four decades
Azets, which has offices on King Street, has been named the inaugural finance partner of the Aire Resilience Company (ARC), a new community interest company established to combat the rising threat of climate change.
The move is a direct response to the devastation caused by the 2015 Boxing Day floods, when water levels in the River Aire reached an unprecedented 5.2 metres. In the aftermath of Storm Eva, an estimated 360 tonnes of water per second surged through the city.
The flooding affected 14 Leeds wards, damaging more than 2,600 homes, 650 businesses and critical infrastructure. Leeds City Council estimated the direct cost of the clean-up at £36.8 million.
ARC is now working to build on existing measures by delivering one of the UK’s largest Natural Flood Management (NFM) schemes. This will include interventions such as tree planting and soil aeration across the Aire catchment upstream of Leeds.
The organisation aims to reduce peak river flows by five per cent during major future flood events - a target determined through scientific analysis. Achieving this would offset the higher river levels projected as a result of climate change by 2069, ensuring Leeds retains its current flood protection standards.
Azets, a business advisory firm, will provide outsourced financial management and company administration support to ARC.
Matthew Grant, Yorkshire head of accounts and business advisory at Azets, emphasised the local importance of the project.
“ARC has the power to protect people, businesses and infrastructure from the devastating impact of flooding,” he said. “As someone who has worked in Leeds for many years and has witnessed the damage and misery flooding has caused, I am delighted that both I and the company I work for are stepping up to help make a difference in our city.”
ARC’s model relies on sustainable annual contributions from Leeds-based businesses, typically via five-year contracts. These contributions fund NFM delivery partners such as Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Aire Rivers Trust.
Jonathan Moxon, ARC director and flood risk manager for Leeds City Council, praised the cross-sector collaboration.
“ARC relies on cross-sector collaboration, and we are fortunate that so many businesses and partners in Leeds care deeply about enhancing the city’s resilience and improving the environment across the wider area,” he said.
“Their involvement has enabled us to create a sustainable, long-term approach to delivering vital work that will protect Leeds for decades to come and move us closer to our goal of becoming the UK’s first net zero and nature-positive city.”