Forty-Fifth Report - Managing flood risk

Select Committee

Public Accounts Committee HC 931 26 February 2021

Report Status Government responded

Conclusions & Recommendations 30 items (7 recs)

Source View on Parliament website

Government Response (AI assessment · 29 of 30 classified)

Accepted 14

Accepted in Part 1

Acknowledged 3

Deferred 7

Not Addressed 1

Rejected 3

Government response

Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Forty-fifth report from Session 2019-21 · published 31 Aug 2021

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Recommendations & Conclusions

3 results

8 Recommendation Rejected

Despite the known risks, there are still plans to build houses on flood plains.

Recommendation

Despite the known risks, there are still plans to build houses on flood plains. While government policy is not to build on flood plains unless unavoidable, the Agency’s analysis indicates that there could be a large increase – of up … Read more Despite the known risks, there are still plans to build houses on flood plains. While government policy is not to build on flood plains unless unavoidable, the Agency’s analysis indicates that there could be a large increase – of up to 50 per cent - in the number of houses built on flood plains over the next 50 years. The Agency is working with MHCLG on reforms to the planning system and is also a statutory consultee on planning applications; it says that in 99% of cases its advice is accepted by the planning authority. However, the Agency does not have responsibility for surface water flooding which sits with the lead local flood authority, the risk of which can be increased with developments in urban areas. There is also a disconnect between the developers who financially benefit from new housing developments and those who face the consequences of it not being sustainable or insurable. Recommendation: Planning policy guidance notes should be strengthened to avoid new builds in areas prone to flooding wherever possible, but in any case, the environment agency should be involved in measures to mitigate the risk. The Department should report to us by July 2021 on the outcome of its discussions to 8 Managing food risk date with MHCLG on reforms to the planning system and how this will mitigate the risks of building on flood plains and other flood risk areas including those at risk from surface water flooding. This should consider approaches to ensure developers guarantee property can be insured and contributes to flood mitigation measures The Department should work with MHCLG to • ensure mandatory reporting on planning decisions approved in flood risk areas – particularly when the Agency disagrees. • ensure mandatory installation of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in new builds • consider changes to building regulations to include mandatory flood protection measures in new builds such as raised electrical sockets, fuse boxes and sealed floors Managing food risk 9 Show less

Government Response Summary

The government explicitly rejected the recommendation, stating that existing planning policy (NPPF) already provides a strong steer to avoid building in high-risk flood areas and that the vast majority of planning decisions comply with Environment Agency advice.

HM Treasury

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29 Conclusion Rejected

The Agency told us that the government’s current strategy was not to build houses on...

Conclusion

The Agency told us that the government’s current strategy was not to build houses on flood plains unless there was no alternative and that any developments on flood plains should not increase the risk of flooding. The Agency is a … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government rejects the Committee's (implicit) recommendation regarding building on floodplains, stating that while avoidance is key, development may be necessary in some areas under strict National Planning Policy Framework tests, and ongoing planning reforms will further support flood risk avoidance.

HM Treasury

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30 Conclusion Rejected

Written evidence from Flood Re highlighted that the Agency does not have responsibility for surface...

Conclusion

Written evidence from Flood Re highlighted that the Agency does not have responsibility for surface water flooding and it has concerns about the impacts of developments in dense urban areas where surface water flood risks are high. It also has … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government rejects the implied recommendation, arguing that current planning policy (NPPF) already provides a strong steer to avoid development in high-risk flood areas and that the reformed planning system will further support flood risk avoidance.

HM Treasury

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