DH1 1AL - Flood, Heat, Air & Subsidence Risk - The Sands (DH1)

County Durham, The Sands (DH1)

Climate risk summary for DH1 1AL

DH1 1AL in The Sands (DH1) has a Medium flood risk - EA NaFRA2 data records 3 properties in a flood risk zone. Heat risk is Lower, with a median (50th percentile) of 7 days above 25°C per year, averaged over the 2021-2040 period under the RCP8.5 high emissions scenario (Met Office UKCP18). Air quality is Low at PM2.5 5.4 μg/m³, above the WHO annual guideline of 5 μg/m³ (Defra UK-AIR). Ground conditions are Low risk, with Glacial Till geology; shrink-swell risk is classed as improbable (BGS GeoClimate).

• Flood: EA NaFRA2: 1 medium, 2 low flood risk properties in this postcode.
• Heat: Projected 7 days above 25°C per year, 2021-2040 average (Met Office UKCP18, 50th percentile under RCP8.5, 12 km grid - postcodes within the same grid cell share this value).
• Air quality: PM2.5 5.4 µg/m³ - above the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³ (Defra UK-AIR PCM model, council-level average - every postcode in this council shows this value).
• Ground: BGS data: Glacial Till geology. Shrink-swell risk classed as improbable (British Geological Survey).
• Green space: 80% of households here have accessible green space within a 15-minute walk (the government's Environmental Improvement Plan standard), and less than 1% have a park or green space within a 200m walk of their door - below the England median (Defra, 2025).

What is the flood risk in DH1 1AL?

Flood risk at DH1 1AL is rated Medium, based on Environment Agency NaFRA2 modelling.

Environment Agency flood zone data places DH1 1AL in the medium flood risk band. EA NaFRA2 data shows 1 at medium risk, 2 at low risk in this postcode. The band reflects the highest flood risk within the postcode; some properties within this postcode may face little or no direct flood risk. Individual properties within DH1 1AL can differ - a formal flood risk search is recommended before any property transaction.

How is the air quality in DH1 1AL?

Air quality at DH1 1AL is rated Low, based on Defra UK-AIR annual mean PM2.5 data. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) comes primarily from road traffic, industry, and domestic burning. Long-term exposure above the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³ is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular health risks. Buyers and renters in higher air quality risk areas may wish to consider whether the property is near busy roads or industrial sources.

Is subsidence a risk at DH1 1AL?

British Geological Survey data classes the underlying soil at DH1 1AL as Glacial Till, with shrink-swell hazard rated improbable (subsidence risk band: Low). A structural survey is the reliable way to assess ground conditions for a specific property.

Where does this data come from?

This LocalRisk report for DH1 1AL draws on four official UK open data sources: Environment Agency NaFRA2 flood modelling, Met Office UKCP18 climate projections, Defra UK-AIR PM2.5 monitoring, and British Geological Survey GeoClimate subsidence mapping. Risk ratings are a screening tool, complementing - not replacing - the searches and surveys ordered as part of a property transaction. Data covers County Durham and is updated as new official datasets are published.

About the County Durham area

County Durham has a largely inland setting spanning upland areas, river valleys and former industrial towns and experiences cool, wet winters and mild summers, influenced by elevation and broad catchments.

What should buyers and renters check in DH1 1AL?

Practical check: EA data flags 3 properties at flood risk here - check whether the property is among them by comparing its position to the flood zone boundary. These are postcode-level indicators - conditions vary between individual properties.

Climate risk can change street by street, so it is worth checking neighbouring postcodes too. The full risk report for DH1 1AB is at localrisk.co.uk/postcode/DH11AB, and you can compare DH1 1AL side by side with any UK postcode at localrisk.co.uk/compare.