Developers must safeguard against flooding if they are to convince new home buyers14th January 2014

Developers looking to kick-start housing schemes across the West will have to convince the public they are ready and able to deal with the extensive flooding witnessed across the region over the New Year.

Planning and development specialist Marcus Plaw from Colliers International said the recovery would see work starting on increasing numbers of new housing schemes - despite public concerns over flooded sites.

“Future flooding risks will be a major consideration to developers long after this winter’s flood waters have receded.

“The adverse weather has again raised public awareness about the future development and growth of our cities, towns and villages – particularly where extensions are proposed on the fringes of these settlements.

“Various ideas have been put forward and methods used to address the flooding of homes including demountable skirts on buildings, building homes on stilts, homes that can float on rising water levels, and houses with floodable basements to hold and slowly release floodwater.

“But whatever flood-mitigation schemes or sustainable drainage systems are put in place it is clear a balance will need to be found between the growing pressure for new housing and other development, its location and the potential for further flood damage.”

Marcus Plaw said developers were still required to comply with Government guidance on flood risk and also had to satisfy the Environment Agency, as a statutory consultee, that the development takes the site’s vulnerability to flooding into account.

“This means developers are required to produce detailed flood risk and drainage assessments and outline the flood protection measures they intend to use on a scheme.

“The Government’s National Planning Policy Framework is intended to steer new development to areas with the lowest probability of flooding, having regard to the vulnerability of the uses.

“Given the pressures to identify new housing sites, decisions need to be taken about meeting local and wider development needs where the land in question might be at risk of flooding. To safeguard such sites, developers will be required to provide appropriate flood protection and mitigation measures.”

“Sensitive and innovative planning schemes and development techniques can help address some of the issues raised. These could include land raising to take sites out of areas with a high probability of flood risk. Developers can also incorporate compensatory flood water storage with controlled release and other sustainable drainage techniques.

“Public safety remains a key consideration.

“Developers have also been asked to make financial contributions towards further flood protection infrastructure. One such example is the proposed River Parrett Barrier near Bridgwater. Similarly, Bath has earmarked £5m worth of flood prevention works as part of its plans for a new enterprise area along the city’s riverside from Manvers Street to Newbridge.”

“It will be interesting to see if planning legislation and guidance is amended in direct response to the effects of the recent adverse weather. It is clear, however, that local authorities and developers must continue working to deliver sustainable development while taking full account of climate change.”