Butteryhaugh Flood Alleviation Scheme

The Environment Agency are committed to working closely with the community to better understand your concerns and share information about flood risk in Butteryhaugh, Northumberland. This page has been created to keep you informed, provide updates on the proposed scheme, and offer opportunities for you to engage with us throughout the process.


Satellite imagery map of Butteryhaugh, Northumberland. Mesoscale Map in the bottom right of image to provide geographical context for the location of Butteryhaugh in the North East of England.


Butteryhaugh is a small village located at the confluence of the Kielder Burn and the River North Tyne. The village currently benefits from seven flood defence assets located on the left bank of the Kielder Burn and North Tyne. Despite these existing assets, the community has a recent history of flooding, with internal flooding to residential properties experienced during Storm Dennis in February 2020 and more recently during Storm Isha in January 2024. In addition, a number of these assets are considered unsafe to maintain for our staff due to steep sides and narrow crest widths.


Infographic explaining current activities progressing within the Butteryhaugh FAS project


As part of our work to date, we have:

  • Looked at our existing assets to understand their current level of performance.
  • Assessed the maintainability of the existing assets.
  • Assessed the costs and benefits of a range of different flood risk management options.

The management options considered include refurbishing of existing assets and changing the asset type from an embankment to a flood wall where there are space constraints. We are also looking to install new defences upstream, preventing the Kielder Burn spilling out of bank and outflanking the existing defences.

The preferred option being taken forward aligns with what was displayed and discussed at the January 2025 engagement event and can be found on this online project page (see Overall General Arrangement Plan). The proposed scheme will provide the village with a much-improved standard of flood protection (a 1.3% chance of being exceeded annually) better protecting 43 residential properties and 10 non-residential properties from flooding.



The video above was captured by drone and presents an aerial view of Butteryhaugh, starting above the Border Park Rugby Club, travelling East to West above the Kielder Burn.

We want to keep you updated with what is happening and any opportunities for you to meet with us. Please:

  • Check the news feed for updates
  • Provide an answer to the quick poll question
  • Come and join us at our next face-to-face community event (see details in the info and news section)
  • Have a look at the FAQ's or get in touch using the provided contact details if you have any questions or feedback. We will continue to update this page as we progress through the project and associated works.

We will be offering other opportunities for you to participate, such as surveys, polls or other ideas... we'll keep you posted!

The Environment Agency are committed to working closely with the community to better understand your concerns and share information about flood risk in Butteryhaugh, Northumberland. This page has been created to keep you informed, provide updates on the proposed scheme, and offer opportunities for you to engage with us throughout the process.


Satellite imagery map of Butteryhaugh, Northumberland. Mesoscale Map in the bottom right of image to provide geographical context for the location of Butteryhaugh in the North East of England.


Butteryhaugh is a small village located at the confluence of the Kielder Burn and the River North Tyne. The village currently benefits from seven flood defence assets located on the left bank of the Kielder Burn and North Tyne. Despite these existing assets, the community has a recent history of flooding, with internal flooding to residential properties experienced during Storm Dennis in February 2020 and more recently during Storm Isha in January 2024. In addition, a number of these assets are considered unsafe to maintain for our staff due to steep sides and narrow crest widths.


Infographic explaining current activities progressing within the Butteryhaugh FAS project


As part of our work to date, we have:

  • Looked at our existing assets to understand their current level of performance.
  • Assessed the maintainability of the existing assets.
  • Assessed the costs and benefits of a range of different flood risk management options.

The management options considered include refurbishing of existing assets and changing the asset type from an embankment to a flood wall where there are space constraints. We are also looking to install new defences upstream, preventing the Kielder Burn spilling out of bank and outflanking the existing defences.

The preferred option being taken forward aligns with what was displayed and discussed at the January 2025 engagement event and can be found on this online project page (see Overall General Arrangement Plan). The proposed scheme will provide the village with a much-improved standard of flood protection (a 1.3% chance of being exceeded annually) better protecting 43 residential properties and 10 non-residential properties from flooding.



The video above was captured by drone and presents an aerial view of Butteryhaugh, starting above the Border Park Rugby Club, travelling East to West above the Kielder Burn.

We want to keep you updated with what is happening and any opportunities for you to meet with us. Please:

  • Check the news feed for updates
  • Provide an answer to the quick poll question
  • Come and join us at our next face-to-face community event (see details in the info and news section)
  • Have a look at the FAQ's or get in touch using the provided contact details if you have any questions or feedback. We will continue to update this page as we progress through the project and associated works.

We will be offering other opportunities for you to participate, such as surveys, polls or other ideas... we'll keep you posted!

  • Community Drop-In Event: Butteryhaugh FAS Scheme Update

    We’re inviting all members of the community to attend an upcoming drop-in event to learn more about the proposed flood risk management scheme in your area.

    This is an opportunity to find out what’s being planned, speak directly with the project team, and ask any questions you may have. Your views are important to us, and we’re keen to hear your feedback to help shape the scheme moving forward.

    Event Details:
    📍 Location: Unit 5, Rivermead, Butteryhaugh, Hexham, Northumberland, NE48 1HX
    📅 Date: 27th April
    ⏰ Time: 4-7pm

    Whether you have specific concerns, local knowledge to share, or simply want to stay informed, we encourage you to come along. No booking is required—just drop in at a time that suits you.

    If you’re unable to attend, there will be other ways to share your feedback, which will be published on this page.

  • Flood Resilience advice

    For advice and guidance on how to make yourself and your property more resilient to potential flooding events, please see the advice below or email engagement_northeast@environment-agency.gov.uk.

    1. Where can local river levels be viewed online?

    Flood river levels can be viewed online by scanning the QR code or visiting - Find river, sea, groundwater and rainfall levels - GOV.UK (check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk)

    2. How do I sign up to the Flood Warning Service?

    You can sign up to receive free Flood Alerts and Flood Warnings and find out further information by visiting; www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings or by contacting your local EA Flood Resilience Engagement Officer by emailing - engagement_northeast@environment-agency.gov.uk

    3. What do the Flood Warning Service levels mean?

    A flood alert means flooding is possible and you should prepare now. The Environment Agency usually issues a flood alert between 2 and 12 hours before flooding. When a flood alert is in force farmland, recreational land, footpaths, car parks and minor roads can all be at risk of flooding. A flood alert will not be issued between the hours of 9pm and 7am (unless necessary) and may therefore be issued in advance if the impact is later in the evening.

    A flood warning means that flooding is expected, and you should act now. The Environment Agency usually issues a flood warning 30 minutes to 2 hours before flooding. When a flood warning is in force, homes and businesses, railways and roads, camping and caravan sites and floodplains can all be at risk of flooding.

    A severe flood warning means that flooding could cause a significant risk to life and disruption to communities, and you must act now. The Environment Agency issues a severe flood warning when flooding threatens life and communities. When a severe flood warning is in force, infrastructure and buildings may be at risk of damage and evacuation of communities may occur.

    4. Where do I find help with flood insurance?

    'Flood Re' is a joint initiative between the Government and insurers. Its aim is to make the flood cover part of household insurance policies more affordable. Visit - www.floodre.co.uk for more information.

Page last updated: 24 Mar 2026, 11:34 AM