According to officials from the Association of British Insurers many new homes could become uninsurable against flood damage, making them unsaleable and in some cases inhabitable. The ABI states that in order to avoid compromising the availability of flood insurance cover on new homes strong planning controls need to come into place.
The ABI has stated that in the past year planning permission has been given to thirteen major developments despite warnings from environmental officials that they were at increased risk of flooding. For all new developments there has to be a consultation with the Environment Agency, but the ABI states that the advice given about the risks is being ignored.
An ABI official said: ‘The Government’s ambitious housing plans are in jeopardy unless we reduce the flood risk. In the last year, 13 major developments have been given the go-ahead despite Environment Agency advice on the flood risk. Where a local authority plans to ignore flood risk advice, the Government should step in and review the proposals and be compelled to publish their decision.’
He also stated: ‘Insurers want to continue to provide flood cover, but poor planning decisions will lead to more homes becoming unsaleable, uninsurable and uninhabitable.
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