LOCATION

WR13 5AF - Flood, Heat, Air & Subsidence Risk - Upper Wyche (WR13)

Malvern Hills, Upper Wyche (WR13)

Flood: MediumHeat: MediumAir quality: LowGround: Low

Climate risk summary for WR13 5AF

WR13 5AF in Upper Wyche (WR13) has a Medium flood risk - EA NaFRA2 data records 1 property in a flood risk zone. Heat risk is Medium, with a median (50th percentile) of 29 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 5.9 μg/m³, above the WHO annual guideline of 5 μg/m³ (Defra UK-AIR). Ground conditions are Low risk, with Siltstone geology; shrink-swell risk is classed as improbable (BGS GeoClimate).

How does WR13 5AF compare with the rest of the UK?

  • Air pollution: cleaner than 84% of councils
  • Heat risk: hotter than 70% of councils
  • Subsidence risk: lower risk than 58% of postcodes
  • Green space access: better green access than 93% of English postcodes

What is the flood risk in WR13 5AF?

Flood risk at WR13 5AF is rated Medium, based on Environment Agency NaFRA2 modelling.

Environment Agency flood zone data places WR13 5AF in the medium flood risk band. EA NaFRA2 data shows 1 at medium 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 WR13 5AF can differ - a formal flood risk search is recommended before any property transaction.

What is the heat risk in WR13 5AF?

Heat risk at WR13 5AF is rated Medium, reflecting Met Office UKCP18 climate projections (50th percentile) for this area, averaged over the 2021-2040 period under the RCP8.5 high emissions scenario. These are probabilistic projections - the 50th percentile is the central estimate within RCP8.5; the full range of modelled outcomes is wide and lower emissions scenarios would produce lower figures. Higher summer temperatures increase cooling energy costs, affect comfort in poorly insulated or south-facing properties, and can accelerate shrinkage in clay soils beneath foundations. Properties built before 1980 without cavity wall insulation are typically most affected.

How is the air quality in WR13 5AF?

Air quality at WR13 5AF 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 WR13 5AF?

British Geological Survey data classes the underlying soil at WR13 5AF as Siltstone, 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 WR13 5AF 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 Malvern Hills and is updated as new official datasets are published.

About the Malvern Hills area

Malvern Hills has a rural setting of steep hills, river valleys and market towns on the western edge of Worcestershire and experiences cool, wet winters and mild summers, influenced by elevation and exposed terrain.

What should buyers and renters check in WR13 5AF?

Practical check: EA data flags 1 property at flood risk here - check whether the property is among them by comparing its position to the flood zone boundary. With 29 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. 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 WR13 5AA is at localrisk.co.uk/postcode/WR135AA, and you can compare WR13 5AF side by side with any UK postcode at localrisk.co.uk/compare.