Andrew Percy – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Percy on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that there are safeguards against flooding for the construction of new houses in potential flood-risk areas.

Brandon Lewis

There are strict tests in the National Planning Policy Framework to protect people and property from flooding which all local planning authorities are expected to follow, underpinned by our planning practice guidance. The Framework is clear that local planning authorities should avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding by directing development away from areas at highest risk. Where development is necessary in a flood risk area, it must be demonstrated that it will be safe, without increasing flood risk elsewhere, and be appropriately flood resilient and resistant. Mitigation measures, such as land raising, raised building thresholds and improved flood management infrastructure, to make development acceptable in flood risk areas can be made a requirement of any planning consent.

We are clear that where the strict tests on flood risk set out in national planning policy are not met, new development should not be allowed.