§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the proposals for development on flood plains in Northamptonshire. [124140]
§ Ms Beverley Hughes[holding answer 5 June 2000]I have been asked to reply.
Local planning authorities in Northamptonshire are conscious of the need to avoid increasing the risk of flooding and exercise a precautionary approach in considering planning applications for development that is either in the flood plain or likely to increase surface water run-off. They take into account advice from the Environment Agency in deciding whether or not planning permission should be granted. A Northampton Liaison Group including representatives from the Environment Agency, local authorities, developers and local groups meets regularly to consider development proposals.
The draft replacement Northamptonshire Structure Plan contains a policy which provides that development will not be permitted in areas at direct risk from flooding, or where flood risk would be increased, unless satisfactory mitigation measures are proposed. This issue was debated at the Examination in Public of the Plan in February and the Report of the Panel is awaited.