Local councils are under renewed pressure from the UK government to ensure new homes are protected from flood risks. Planning minister Caroline Flint unveiled five rules to prevent developments being build on areas vulnerable to rising water levels.
It is now compulsory to consult with the Environment Agency on planning applications in flood risk areas. Where councils ignore the agency’s advice on major developments the government has said it will step in.
Following last summer’s heavy flooding in parts of the UK, Ms Flint has announced five steps councils should abide by when deciding where a new development goes. She said:
“We saw very clearly last summer the devastating potential of severe storms. We can’t prevent heavy downpours or abandon those already living in flood plains but wherever possible we need to make sure councils are avoiding or reducing the risk of flooding in their communities.”
The new guidelines include making sure new home projects control flooding using sustainable drainage and good design and measuring whether the need for a new development outweighs flood risk. Ms Flint added:
“The Government has put tough planning rules in place for flood risk areas that we need councils to enforce.
“To help them we are issuing a five-step guide to planning new homes so councils have no excuse for failing to protect their communities.”
In 2007 South Yorkshire and Gloucestershire, among other areas, were hit by rising waters following heavy rain.
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