LS88 8AN - Flood, Heat, Air & Subsidence Risk - Rothwell

Leeds, Rothwell

LS88 8AN in Rothwell has a Very low flood risk. Heat risk is Lower, with a median (50th percentile) of 18 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 Medium at PM2.5 7.4 μg/m³, above the WHO annual guideline of 5 μg/m³ (Defra UK-AIR). Ground conditions are Low risk, with Sandstone geology; shrink-swell risk is classed as improbable (BGS GeoSure).

• Flood: Flood risk is minimal in this area.
• Heat: Projected 18 days above 25°C per year, 2021-2040 average (Met Office UKCP18, 50th percentile under RCP8.5).
• Air quality: PM2.5 7.4 µg/m³ - above the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³ (Defra UK-AIR).
• Ground: BGS data: Sandstone geology. Shrink-swell risk classed as improbable (British Geological Survey).
• Green space: 13% of addresses within 200m of green space - near the England median (ONS).

Flood risk at LS88 8AN is rated Very Low, based on Environment Agency NaFRA2 modelling.

Air quality at LS88 8AN is rated Medium, 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.

BGS GeoSure data classes the underlying soil at LS88 8AN as Sandstone, with shrink-swell hazard rated improbable (subsidence risk band: Low). Soil type and shrink-swell behaviour drive subsidence claims following dry summers; recent ABI data shows insurer payouts rose sharply after the 2022 and 2025 hot summers. A structural survey is the reliable way to assess ground risk for a specific property.

This LocalRisk report for LS88 8AN 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 GeoSure subsidence mapping. Risk ratings are a screening tool, complementing - not replacing - the searches and surveys ordered as part of a property transaction. Data covers Leeds and is updated as new official datasets are published.

Leeds has a large inland city setting with river valleys, higher ground and dense development and experiences cool, wet winters and warm summers, shaped by Pennine weather patterns and urban form.

Environment Agency flood zone data shows very low flood risk for LS88 8AN in Rothwell. The band reflects the highest flood risk within the postcode; some properties within this postcode may face little or no direct flood risk. For a specific property, a conveyancing search will confirm the exact flood zone position.

Practical check: With 18 hot days projected (UKCP18 50th percentile, 2021-2040 average under RCP8.5), note which bedrooms face west (hottest in evening) and whether windows allow through-ventilation. With PM2.5 above WHO guidelines here, check which bedrooms face busy roads and how fresh air is drawn into living spaces. These are postcode-level indicators - conditions vary between individual properties.