Britain plans to restore infrastructure to flood-prone homes

More than 5,000 new homes have been granted planning permission so far this year in flood-hit areas across the UK as local authorities try to tackle the housing shortage.
The researchers, who examined 16,000 planning applications submitted between January and September, found that about 200 had been approved for a total of 5,283 new homes in areas where more than 10 percent of homes were at risk of flooding.
Insurers said they were concerned about the number of homes being built where owners were at risk of “suffering and catastrophic loss”.
Builders said flood-prone areas need to be used as new homes are needed – and more protection and mitigation measures need to be put in place as more homes are exposed to the climate crisis.
Martin Milner, an insurer’s claim manager appointed by the report, said: “We welcome the Government’s commitment to increase housing.
He continued, “Flooding is a very traumatic event that can be devastating both physically and mentally in a person’s life.”
“We are facing a severe housing crisis. The planning policy is already diverting growth from flood – prone areas,” said Andrew Whittaker, planning director for the Housing Builders Association.
“However, if there is no other way, or if the sites in high-risk areas are too stable for other reasons, the developments will have to meet more severe mitigation requirements.”
Local Government Housing and Environment spokesman David Renard said nearly 99% of the applications had been processed on the advice of the Environment Agency on Flood Risks.