Labour's homebuilding plans will put more in peril

Ministers are to reveal details of plans to solve the housing shortage with new homes in rural areas.

But there are fears that mass building on flood-prone countryside will stop the land soaking up heavy rains.

The Mail on Sunday has seen a Government-commissioned report painting a bleak picture. It warns that flooding will be a serious and growing problem.

The report also says drought will become more of a problem in times of low rainfall. And it says the plans will have 'a negative effect on the countryside' and 'increase pressure to develop the Green Belt'.

It adds that trunk roads will be unable to cope, leading to more traffic congestion and pollution.

Roger Tym and Partners looked at the impact of targets drawn up before Mr Brown became Prime Minister.

But Mr Brown wants to increase the annual target for new homes from 200,000 to 240,000 over the next decade.

Conservative local government spokesman Eric Pickles said: "We face more flooding, transport misery and concrete-mixers covering the Green Belt."

The Department for Communities said homes will be in 'safe and sustainable locations'.