Plans announced for defences at flood-hit museum

The Museum of Making was closed for three months following flooding in 2023

A museum in Derby which was flooded two years ago has applied to install new defences.

The Museum of Making, next to the River Derwent, was closed for three months after Storm Babet in October 2023 left it with about 70cm of flood water inside.

At the time, officials said a "six-figure" sum had been mostly paid by the building's insurance cover to help get it back up and running.

A planning application has now been submitted to Derby City Council for localised flood barriers across three internal and one external door.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the museum has told the council that the flooding disrupted "commercial activity", with the kitchens the worst affected.

The application stated: "Most of the ground floor fixtures and fittings are moveable, should a flood alert be received.

"The workshop area is the exception to this. It houses fixed equipment of high value, including a crucible, forge, lathes and a CNC machine.

"Installing flood barriers to the east and west doors of the workshop, and to the two external doors, will protect the equipment and ensure it can be offered to the public as quickly as possible after a flood event."

Major flood prevention work is starting on the land surrounding the museum, with a new flood wall, floodgates and a riverside green area to give flood waters an escape route.