§ Mr. SawfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress is being made with the revision of planning guidance on flooding. [119334]
§ Mr. RaynsfordA consultation paper on a new Planning Policy Guidance Note 25 "Development and flood risk" is published today and has been placed on the Department's website.
The Government recognise the importance of flooding and the effects it can have on people's lives. While there is no quick and easy solution, in the longer term a more precautionary and risk-based approach will ensure that new development is not exposed to risk unnecessarily or itself add to flood risk in other areas. Taken together with MAFF and Environment Agency initiatives on flood warning and flood defence, this new guidance will assist in reducing the potential impact of flooding.
The draft guidance published today takes account of the developing knowledge of the likely impacts of climate change, but recognises the inherent uncertainties. Planning decisions should apply the precautionary principle to avoid inappropriate development in flood-risk areas. Where other material considerations outweigh flood risk in favour of proceeding with development, the draft guidance emphasises the need to design and defend such development to an adequate level to ensure the safety of 250W people and minimise property damage. It also emphasises the need for developers to contribute towards the cost of flood defences that may be required as a result of implementing their project.
The draft guidance advises that it is necessary to look at development and flood management on a wider scale and to ensure that run-off from new development is controlled as near the source as possible through the use of sustainable drainage systems. This mitigates the problems caused when additional run-off from extensions to built-up areas increases flood risk downstream.