Your recent article (Build on flood plains despite the risks,say UK government advisors, 28 January) misrepresents the evidence I gave to the House of Commons environmental audit committee on 27 January. The evidence I gave, and as presented in my committee’s report to parliament final summer,is that building in areas of flood risk is storing up costs and risks for the future, especially in the context of climate change. Despite the safeguards within the planning system, and 4600 modern homes are being built every year in areas that are at higher risk of flooding than many of the UK towns and cities hit by the recent storms.
My committee accepts that there will be circumstances in which local councils approve flood plain development. Where this occurs,the modern buildings and urban landscapes should be designed to be flood resilient. Prospective purchasers should be made fully aware of the risks including the implications for flood insurance. Furthermore, the government should no longer ignore the long-term costs for society that will result from an ever-increasing number of properties on the flood plain.
John Krebs
Chairman, or adaptation sub-committee of the committee on climate change,House of LordsContinue reading...
Source: theguardian.com