Thousands of new homes to be built in areas at high risk of flooding

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. They said a long-term holistic approach to flooding should be developed, with bodies working together – and warned that with an overwhelming need for new homes England was likely to see many more properties built in areas at high risk of flooding. “However, where there is no other choice, or sites in high flood risk zones are the most sustainable sites for other reasons, developments have to meet extremely stringent mitigation requirements set out by the Environment Agency who are statutory consultees on plans for homes in such areas,” he said. Chris Renard, housing spokesperson at the Local Government Association, said councils would always reject planning applications which were “reckless and irresponsible” and are “generally opposed to building property where there is a risk of flooding”. When approving homes which are at risk of flooding, councils should require adequate defences also be built by the developer, Mr Renard said, adding the government should also introduce “mandatory anti-flood requirements for new homes in building regulations”.