The Risk Of Flooding

A spate of major floods across the UK, warnings that global warming will lead to more frequent heavy rainfall events and increased risks of flooding have put the topic back at the top of the pile for planners.

A report from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) in June 2015 (see reference box on p21) warned that not enough progress is being made in managing vulnerability to flooding, noting that new houses are currently being built in England's high-risk flood areas at almost twice the rate of areas at low or no risk of flooding. In its report, the CCC notes that the rate of residential development in areas with a 'high likelihood of flooding' (1 in 30 years or greater) has been on the increase for the period from 2011 to 2014, averaging 1.2% a year. In contrast, housing in Flood Zone 1 areas (see box on p19) averaged only 0.7% a year over the same period. Lord Krebs, head of the CCC's adaptation sub-committee, recently warned that if these trends continue, 'we are