Ellie Ames 09 October 2024

Permission given for 7,000 homes in flood zones

Permission given for 7,000 homes in flood zones image
Image: UAV 4 / Shutterstock.com

Planning permission has been granted to build more than 7,000 homes in the areas at the highest risk of flooding in England, a new report has revealed.

Think-tank Localis found that full or conditional planning permission was given to build 7,116 new homes on previously undeveloped floodplain land in the 12 local authorities with the highest percentage of properties at risk of flooding.

There are no laws against granting planning permission for or building homes in areas at high risk of flooding.

In 2022-23, the Environment Agency reported 267 instances of homes granted planning permission against their advice on flood risk.

Localis has urged environment secretary Steve Reed to empower the recently established Flood Resilience Taskforce to review how resilience measures are implemented in the planning system.

The think-tank also called for an urgent uplift in the Environment Agency’s capacity to ensure the maintenance of flood defence assets and to enforce planning regulations.

Clean growth researcher Sandy Forsyth said: ‘As long as new planning consents are being given to homes in flood zones on undeveloped land, people and communities will continue to see compounding risks.

‘The time is now for the rules to change, as government sets out to rejuvenate the planning system and plans for a newly invigorated era of housebuilding, so that the built environment can be resilient to current and future environmental hazards.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay award pending)
Do you have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!   WH Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £24,404 - £25,183 Pro Rata to hours worked Pay award pending
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking to appoint a part time Clerical officer/Receptionist within Business Services to provide a professional, effective a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Administration Assistant Grade 5    £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31 December 2025 37 hours per week, Te Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Support Assistant Grade 1 £24,027 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31st October 2026 Part Time, 32.5 hours Mon - Fri 9am -4pm Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lecturer in Foundation Learning -Maths, English and Digital

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 pro rata for part-time term time working PAY AWARD PENDING
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English and Maths Functional Skills.   An opportunity has arisen for a Lec Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner