Developers could be BANNED from building new homes in areas that are at ‘high-risk’ of flooding as Government orders a review of planning rules after massive storms caused chaos across the UK
- Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said ministers would review planning laws
- His statement followed the wettest February since records began
- Thousands of homes and businesses deluged across mainly England and Wales
Building homes in areas at high risk from flooding could be banned under Government plans unveiled today after winter storms caused havoc across vast swathes of the country.
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said ministers would review planning laws following the wettest February since records began.
He also told MPs there would be a review of housing policy that would focus on building new homes in urban areas.
The UK experienced one of its wettest and warmest winters on record.
Across December, January and February, the country was deluged with an average total of 469.7mm of rain, according to Met Office figures.
Announcing a series of planning reforms, Robert Jenrick told MPs: ‘We should seize the opportunity to consider how the built and the natural environments can work together more harmoniously.
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said ministers would review planning laws following the wettest February since records began
A man in Peterston-super-Ely in Wales takes a local woman to work in a canoe this week
Water cascades down the dam wall of Derwent Reservoir in Derbyshire on Wednesday morning after weeks of heavy rainfall
Last month has already been confirmed as the wettest February on record, with an average of 209.1mm measured across the UK causing flooding, including in Snaith in Yorkshire (pictured)
‘In that spirit, I’m announcing today that I will be reviewing our policy to prevent the building in areas of high flood risk.
‘Given the recent devastation suffered by so many of our communities, we’re putting in an extra £5.2 billion into flood defences.’
Last month has already been confirmed as the wettest February on record, with an average of 209.1mm measured across the UK.
The country was lashed by three named storms over the course of the month, with Ciara, Dennis and finally Jorge.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak yesterday used his first Budget – less than a month after taking over at the Treasury – to announce 336,000 properties in England would benefit from a doubling to £5.2 billion by 2026 of money for flood defences.
Mr Sunak said he would make a £120 million Winter Defence Fund available immediately to repair all defences damaged in the winter floods and £200 million directly to local communities to build flood resilience.
Addressing the Commons, Mr Jenrick said the Government wants to create a planning system which is ‘truly fit for the 21st century’ and which ensures housing supply meets demand.
He said: ‘We’ll be reviewing our approach to planning to ensure our system enables more homes to come forward in the places people most want to live – with jobs, with transport links and with other amenities on their doorstep.
‘This means making the best use of land and existing transport infrastructure. To that end, I’m announcing we will review the formula for calculating local housing need, taking a fresh approach, which means building more homes but encouraging greater building in urban areas.’
Boris Johnson came under weeks of sustained political pressure to visit affected areas before finally going to Bewdley in Worcestershire at the weekend.
The PM was met met with shouts of ‘traitor’ as he arrived on the banks of the River Severn, his first to an affected area since the extreme weather hit 22 days previously
Mr Jenrick said he wants suggestions for ‘innovative solutions’ for building housing ‘above and around stations’, while a ‘brownfield site map’ will be launched to allow people to understand where these sites are.
A deadline of December 2023 was also set for all local plans to be in place before the Government intervenes, with Mr Jenrick adding proposals for a ‘digital planning system’ will also be unveiled.
He explained: ‘Shortening and simplifying the plan-making process – as part of this we’ll reform planning fees and link them to performance to create a world-class and properly resourced planning service.’
But Labour’s shadow housing minister John Healey said: ‘This indeed is a follow-up to the budget and the Treasury’s flawed thinking runs throughout.
After nearly 10 years, still no plan to fix the country’s housing crisis while the promise of the White Paper is a threat to give big developers a freer hand to do what they want, ignoring quality, affordability and sustainability.’