HC Deb 17 April 2000 vol 348 cc315-6W
Mr. Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue planning policy guidelines to planning authorities indicating how they should handle planning applications for development in areas known to be at risk of flooding but in which the necessary flood alleviation works have not been undertaken. [119474]

Ms Beverley Hughes

My hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning announced on 13 April 2000,Official Report, columns 249-50W, the publication of a consultation draft of a new Planning Policy Guidance Note 25, "Development and flood risk". This sets out all the considerations to which planning authorities should have regard when handling applications for development in flood risk areas. Copies are available in the Library.

We will consider the responses to this consultation with a view to issuing the new PPG in its final form later this year.

Mr. Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers planning authorities have to(a) defer and (b) reject planning applications for development in areas known to be at risk of flooding pending the completion of flood alleviation works. [119473]

Ms Beverley Hughes

Local planning authorities have powers under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to impose conditions on a grant of planning permission requiring the carrying out of necessary flood alleviation works as part of a development where such works would form part of the development. Where the necessary flood alleviation works would be required elsewhere than the development site, local planning authorities may impose a condition requiring that the development should not proceed until those works have been carried out, whether by the developer or by any other body. In addition, a developer and local planning authority may enter into an agreement under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to ensure that the necessary works are carried out as part of the development.

Flooding issues are important considerations in the determination of applications for development in areas known to be at risk of flooding. Local planning authorities have powers under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to refuse applications where that risk outweighs other material considerations in the absence of flood alleviation works. Where such works are planned, local planning authorities may refuse an application for development on the grounds of prematurity pending the completion of such works.