Tougher scrutiny of proposed housing developments is needed now to reduce the impacts of climate change, the ABI (Association of British Insurers) warned today.

Responding to the Government’s new Planning Policy Statement: Development and Flood Risk, Jane Milne, the ABI’s Head of Property Insurance said:

“Planning authorities must ensure that proposed developments are only approved if the flood risk has been taken into account. In the last four years nearly 800 housing developments have gone ahead in high flood risk areas against the advice of the Environment Agency. In London alone, half a million homes are already situated on the floodplain.

“Implementing these guidelines will go a long way to managing the rising flood risk, so ensuring that the Government’s ambitious plans for new homes becomes a reality for as many families as possible. It is important that we address the results of climate change, as well as the causes.”

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Notes

 1.            Enquiries to:       

         Alan Leaman    020 7216 7440 (Mobile: 07957 482 330)

         Malcolm Tarling    020 7216 7410 (Mobile: 07776 147 667)

         Jonathan French   020 7216 7392 (Mobile: 07958 330 480)

         Lucy Butler        020 7216 7411 (Mobile: 07712 841 184)

         Kelly Ostler        020 7216 7415 (Mobile: 07968 364 302)      

2.            Planning Policy Statement (PPS)25: Development of Flood Risk sets out policies for planning authorities to:

·        ensure flood risk is properly taken into account at all stages of the planning process;

·        prevent inappropriate development in high flood risk areas;

·        direct development away from areas at highest risk.

3.            The ABI is the trade association for Britain’s insurance industry. Its nearly 400 member companies provide over 94% of the insurance business in the UK. It represents insurance companies to the Government, and to the regulatory and other agencies, and is an influential voice on public policy and financial services issues. ABI member companies hold up to a sixth of all investments traded on the London Stock Exchange, on behalf of millions of pensioners and savers.

4.            An ISDN line is available for broadcasts.