OL16 4PA - Flood, Heat, Air & Subsidence Risk - Newbold

Rochdale, Newbold

OL16 4PA in Newbold has a High flood risk - EA NaFRA2 data records 15 properties at high flood risk. Heat risk is Lower, with a median (50th percentile) of 11 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 7.1 μg/m³, above the WHO annual guideline of 5 μg/m³ (Defra UK-AIR). Ground conditions are Low risk, with Glaciofluvial Deposits geology; shrink-swell risk is classed as improbable (BGS GeoSure).

• Flood: EA NaFRA2: 15 high, 2 medium, 5 low flood risk properties in this postcode.
• Heat: Projected 11 days above 25°C per year, 2021-2040 average (Met Office UKCP18, 50th percentile under RCP8.5).
• Air quality: PM2.5 7.1 µg/m³ - above the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³ (Defra UK-AIR).
• Ground: BGS data: Glaciofluvial Deposits geology. Shrink-swell risk classed as improbable (British Geological Survey).
• Green space: 14% of addresses within 200m of green space - near the England median (ONS).

Flood risk at OL16 4PA is rated High, based on Environment Agency NaFRA2 modelling.

Air quality at OL16 4PA 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 OL16 4PA as Glaciofluvial Deposits, 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 OL16 4PA 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 Rochdale and is updated as new official datasets are published.

Rochdale has an upland town setting with steep valleys, former industrial land and surrounding moorland and experiences cool, wet winters and mild summers, influenced by Pennine elevation and exposed terrain.

Environment Agency flood zone data places OL16 4PA in the high flood risk band. EA NaFRA2 data shows 15 at high risk, 2 at medium risk, 5 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. A formal flood risk search and review of buildings insurance availability is recommended before any property transaction in this area.

Practical check: With 15 properties at high flood risk here, ask about past flooding events, check the entrance threshold height relative to road level, and review buildings insurance terms. 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.