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01/02/2005
ABI report warns of flood risk for new homes
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) have warned that planned government housing in the South East could be at risk from flooding.
The ABI report, 'Making Communities Sustainable', recommended that the government's plans to build over a million homes in the South East by 2016 need to take into account the risks from flooding and climate change.
The report found that a third of all the new developments are located in the floodplain, which could increase the annual costs of flooding in these areas by 74%. The ABI said that this would add £55 million to the annual flood bill unless effective steps were taken to manage the risk. The report found that up to 10,000 homes could potentially be located in areas with a high risk of flooding without proper planning.
However, the ABI said that a strong planning policy could help to reduce flood risks to "negligible levels" in Ashford, the M11 corridor and the South Midlands and by half in Thames Gateway.
The report made a number of recommendations to solve the problem, including; strengthening planning guidance; using appropriate flood risk assessments; targeting flood defence spending to vulnerable sites and using flood-resilient measures, such as raised living space and services, in homes built in the floodplain.
Nick Starling, the ABI's Director of General Insurance, said: "The government's plans for a step-change in housing supply are essential to the economic and social well-being of this country. But they present challenges. Our report shows that flood risk in the growth areas could be managed effectively by building on existing government policies and plans."
Minister for Planning, Keith Hill, welcomed the ABI's report and said: "Minimising flood risk is an essential part of creating sustainable communities. The government is committed to working with the ABI and the Environment Agency to ensure we get this right."
(KMcA/SP)
The ABI report, 'Making Communities Sustainable', recommended that the government's plans to build over a million homes in the South East by 2016 need to take into account the risks from flooding and climate change.
The report found that a third of all the new developments are located in the floodplain, which could increase the annual costs of flooding in these areas by 74%. The ABI said that this would add £55 million to the annual flood bill unless effective steps were taken to manage the risk. The report found that up to 10,000 homes could potentially be located in areas with a high risk of flooding without proper planning.
However, the ABI said that a strong planning policy could help to reduce flood risks to "negligible levels" in Ashford, the M11 corridor and the South Midlands and by half in Thames Gateway.
The report made a number of recommendations to solve the problem, including; strengthening planning guidance; using appropriate flood risk assessments; targeting flood defence spending to vulnerable sites and using flood-resilient measures, such as raised living space and services, in homes built in the floodplain.
Nick Starling, the ABI's Director of General Insurance, said: "The government's plans for a step-change in housing supply are essential to the economic and social well-being of this country. But they present challenges. Our report shows that flood risk in the growth areas could be managed effectively by building on existing government policies and plans."
Minister for Planning, Keith Hill, welcomed the ABI's report and said: "Minimising flood risk is an essential part of creating sustainable communities. The government is committed to working with the ABI and the Environment Agency to ensure we get this right."
(KMcA/SP)
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22 April 2004
Flooding costs set to rise up to '20-fold'
Flooding and coastal erosion damage may rise by between two and 20-fold inside the next 100 years, according to a government report published today.
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Flooding and coastal erosion damage may rise by between two and 20-fold inside the next 100 years, according to a government report published today.
11 November 2005
Flood-risk homes to receive better insurance deal
Homeowners whose properties are at risk of flooding are to benefit from better deals on insurance, under new proposals announced by the Association of British Insurers.
Flood-risk homes to receive better insurance deal
Homeowners whose properties are at risk of flooding are to benefit from better deals on insurance, under new proposals announced by the Association of British Insurers.
12 January 2005
Environment Agency publishes Boscastle report
An Environment Agency report has given the go-ahead to replace flood-damaged buildings in the Cornish village of Boscastle, which was devastated by a massive flood in August last year. The report described the chances of a flood of such magnitude ever happening in that area again as "low", with the risk estimated at 400 to one in any given year.
Environment Agency publishes Boscastle report
An Environment Agency report has given the go-ahead to replace flood-damaged buildings in the Cornish village of Boscastle, which was devastated by a massive flood in August last year. The report described the chances of a flood of such magnitude ever happening in that area again as "low", with the risk estimated at 400 to one in any given year.
05 November 2014
NAO Say Govt Flood Defence Spending 'Insufficient'
The National Audit Office (NAO) has warned that the UK's flood defences are likely to "deteriorate faster" as the money being spent on maintaining them is "insufficient". A report from the NAO claims that half of the country's defences received a "minimal level" of maintenance which was insufficient to secure homes.
NAO Say Govt Flood Defence Spending 'Insufficient'
The National Audit Office (NAO) has warned that the UK's flood defences are likely to "deteriorate faster" as the money being spent on maintaining them is "insufficient". A report from the NAO claims that half of the country's defences received a "minimal level" of maintenance which was insufficient to secure homes.
10 February 2014
UK Floods: Disaster Continues And Thames Reaches Record Levels
Communities along the Thames, particularly in Berkshire and Surrey, are being warned to expect further severe property flooding from the River Thames today and Tuesday, according to the Environment Agency.
UK Floods: Disaster Continues And Thames Reaches Record Levels
Communities along the Thames, particularly in Berkshire and Surrey, are being warned to expect further severe property flooding from the River Thames today and Tuesday, according to the Environment Agency.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry with sunny spells on Friday, cloudier at times in the south. The chance of the odd afternoon shower developing in the south and east. Maximum temperature 20 °C.Tonight:Any afternoon showers soon dying out to leave a dry evening with clear spells at first, but coastal low cloud, mist or fog then spreads in from the northwest. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
