New research from the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) has warned a ‘lack of transparency, inconsistency in approach, and poor visibility of the flood mitigation in place’ is undermining the insurance sector’s confidence in the planning system and threatens its ability to underwrite new builds for flood risk.
The research, commissioned by the joint initiative between the UK government and the insurance industry, Flood Re, examined the effectiveness of the planning system for the delivery of flood resilient new housing development in England.
While progress has been made, the study found the evidence used to inform planning decisions on flood risk was out of date and regulation is hindered by institutional complexity and a complicated division of roles and responsibilities. The research also explored the planning process once consent has been given; identifying issues with transparency and compliance, and poor engagement with local communities.
1 in 4 homes in the UK are at risk of flooding; while there has been widespread adoption of flood mitigation and resilience measures for new build developments, it is essential, says the research, insurers feel confident about flood mitigation for new builds. It warns insurers need more accurate data to inform their underwriting and there is a risk properties will simply not be covered by the Flood Re scheme. To ensure more consistency and diligence in flood resilient new developments, the TCPA is calling for urgent action in three key areas:
- the quality of evidence and data to inform planning decisions to be improved
- the mechanisms for securing the measures necessary to make development safe from flood risk to be reviewed, and
- the regulatory system to be more robust to ensure these measures are delivered in practice.
Commenting on the report, Dermot Kehoe, Director of Communications and Transition, Flood Re, said:
“It is vital that new homes built in England are not at risk of flooding. Householders want to feel secure in their home and be confident that it will be insurable and mortgageable now and into the future. It is also important for wider insurance availability that we do not increase the total amount of flood risk the market is required to insure.
“This research shows that while there are areas of good practice, this is not consistent and the system lacks the transparency and clarity that could give home buyers, their insurers and lenders confidence that no new home is being built at flood risk.”
Celia Davis, Senior projects and policy manager at the TCPA added:
“The planning system should play a vital role in delivering flood resilient new development. However, our research reveals that it is failing to deliver safe developments due to procedural issues, which are borne out within a malfunctional system. Fundamental change is needed to secure a regulatory regime that keeps communities safe from the increasing risk of flooding for the long-term.”
