Call for tougher planning controls

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The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said a third of the three million new homes the Government planned to build by 2020 would be on a flood plain.

It added that during the past year alone, 13 major developments had been given the go-ahead despite advice from the Environment Agency that they would be at risk from flooding. Around seven of the sites are deemed to be at high risk from flooding, including a new caravan park and a development of bungalows.

The group warned that unless tougher planning laws were put in place, increasing numbers of homes would become unsaleable, uninsurable and uninhabitable.

Speaking at the Architects' Journal conference, the ABI's assistant director of property Justin Jacobs said: "The Government's ambitious housing plans are in jeopardy unless we reduce the flood risk.

"Insurers want to continue to provide flood cover, but poor planning decisions will lead to more homes becoming unsaleable, uninsurable and uninhabitable."

The group said that despite it now being a statutory requirement that the Environment Agency be consulted on new developments, planning permission was still being given despite the agency highlighting flood risks. At the same time it said some new developments were displacing flood risks to other areas.

Housing Minister Iain Wright said: "These claims are completely wide of the mark. The Government has introduced the strongest planning rules ever to ensure councils properly manage the risk of flooding.

"It is up to councils to decide whether to give planning permission for new housing developments but these rules mean they must consult with the Environment Agency before allowing new building in flood risk areas.

"We are prepared to use our powers to take over decisions if required. However, all of the developments highlighted by the ABI were decided by councils before the introduction of these planning protections."