A latest report reveals that planning permission has been granted for over 7,000 properties in areas on the highest threat of flooding in England.
In accordance with suppose tank Localis, over 7,000 properties obtained full or conditional approval to be constructed on beforehand undeveloped land liable to flooding throughout 12 native authorities with probably the most properties at flood threat.
Regardless of the hazards, there are at the moment no legal guidelines stopping planning permission for properties in high-risk flood zones. We have a look at why that is and why builders proceed to construct on flood-prone land.
By 2070 flood-risk properties might rise by 50%, Setting Company says
Assume tank Localis reviews that 7,116 properties have been accepted for building on undeveloped land with the best flood threat within the nation.
In truth, in 2022-23, the Setting Company reported 267 circumstances the place properties have been accepted for building towards their recommendation on flood threat.
“Recommendation from the Setting Company round improvement in areas of flood threat has been ignored in some locations, as a result of the precedence for housing is such that it takes priority,” says Elizabeth Bundred Woodward from countryside charity CPRE.
Moreover, the Setting Company predicts that by 2070, properties liable to flooding might rise by 50%.
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Localis has known as on Setting Secretary Steve Reed to strengthen the position of the Flood Resilience Taskforce, which was just lately established to supervise how flood resilience measures are integrated into the planning course of. The suppose tank additionally urged a rise within the Setting Company’s capability to take care of flood defence methods and guarantee rules are correctly enforced.
No legal guidelines towards granting planning permission in flood zones
Regardless of the UK’s strict planning tips, there are literally no legal guidelines towards granting planning in flood-risk areas.
Though it’s inspired to grant planning in different areas, typically councils will grant planning in areas liable to flooding.
Sandy Forsyth, a clear progress researcher, emphasised the urgency of adjusting planning guidelines: “So long as new planning consents are being given to properties in flood zones on undeveloped land, individuals and communities will proceed to see compounding dangers. The time is now for the principles to vary… in order that the constructed atmosphere could be resilient to present and future environmental hazards.”
Why is planning permission granted for properties in flood threat areas?
Regardless of repeated warnings from the Setting Company and the Committee on Local weather Change (CCC), the development of constructing on flood-prone land persists.
Between 2001 and 2011, over 200,000 properties have been constructed on these at-risk areas. At present, almost 500,000 extra properties on floodplains have already obtained planning permission.
Kersey’s Solicitors level out that: “Whereas constructing in floodplains stays attainable, builders should comply with strict planning tips. These embrace conducting flood threat assessments and designing properties with protecting measures in place.”
Nonetheless, Joe Fyans, head of analysis at Localis, factors out a key downside as to why these developments are allowed to proceed: “Most of those [developments in Flood Zone 3] are micro developments of lower than 9 homes. However the issue is they’re all being thought of individually.
“What the system does is simply have a look at the eight homes being proposed and say they’ve obtained good flood defences. However you’re nonetheless growing the mixture threat of floor flooding and runoff elsewhere.”
Why do builders select flood-prone areas?
As strain mounts to fulfill housing calls for, builders are more and more turning to flood-prone land as a result of its decrease value.
These areas are sometimes cheaper and extra available for improvement, making them enticing to builders making an attempt to fulfill authorities housing targets.
Philip Field, coverage adviser on the UK Inexperienced Constructing Council, highlights the problem: “Locations like London and Hull are in areas which have flood threat, however we are able to’t simply not construct there. Robust resilience and mitigation measures are important. With out them, we’re simply constructing homes that can flood or turn into uninsurable.”
Even when builders try to mitigate the dangers with measures like elevating properties or putting in flood defences, these efforts might not be sufficient. “There’s a full of life debate about what constitutes flood resilience. Venice, for instance, is flood-resistant, however is that possible within the UK?” Field provides.
The absence of a transparent nationwide plan for future developments and inadequate knowledge on long-term flood dangers from local weather change makes it troublesome for native authorities to make knowledgeable selections. Consequently, properties proceed to be constructed on land that might quickly turn into uninhabitable.