The government has published updated planning guidance aimed at providing new homes with bolstered protection against flooding.
“This new guidance will strengthen councils’ ability to require better flood resilience in new developments,” said Levelling Up Secretary Greg Clark.
“Councils will need to demonstrate that the development will be safe from flooding for its lifetime, will not increase flood risk elsewhere, and where possible will reduce flood risk overall.”
The goal is to ensure that new homes are sustainable and that developers are able to adapt to climate change by having them meet strict criteria before any development gets the green light.
“This will build on our record £5.2 billion investment to build around 2,000 flood schemes by 2027 and level-up defences across England,” highlighted Floods Minister Steve Double.
Environment Agency’s flood and coastal risk management executive director Caroline Douglass added that the guidance provides “vital advice” to planners and developers with a view to avoiding unsafe new development.
Commenting on the changes, AXA UK mid-market and customer risk management director Dougie Barnett stated: “While [the] announcement is a welcome step in the right direction, the government needs to ensure much-needed affordable housing is not built in areas at risk of flooding.
“It should also immediately implement legislation requiring the inclusion of sustainable drainage systems in new developments to better protect communities from flood risk.”
Barnett went on to say that the insurer will continue to work with the government toward creating a more resilient and sustainable built environment.
