http://www.abi.org.uk/housing The Government’s Sustainable Communities Plan sets out a strategy for the development of 200,000 new homes in the South-East by 2016. Many of these homes will be built in flood risk locations. ABI is committed to working with the Government, local authorities, and property developers to ensure that this challenging level of development occurs in a way that is truly sustainable. This webpage summarises ABI's work on the sustainable communities agenda, including research and guidance on mitigating flood risk for the new developments in the growth areas. Making Communities Sustainable: Managing Flood Risks in the Government's Growth Areas Summary Report and the Full Technical Report were published on 1 February 2005. Further details can be found in ABI's press release on the launch. ABI commissioned Entec Consultants, in association with HR Wallingford and John Chatterton Associates, to undertake a study to: (a) address potential economic and financial costs from flooding due to the additional development set out in the Communities Plan, and (b) consider the most effective approaches to manage the risk in coming decades. Technical Report Volume 1 Contents Pages Chapters 1 - 5 Chapter 6 Technical Report Volume 2 Contents Pages Chapters 7 and 8a Chapter 8b Chapters 9 - 15 and Appendices Strategic Planning for Flood Risk in the Growth Areas - Insurance Considerations This ABI guidance sets out the key considerations that should be addressed to minimise flood risk for developments in the growth areas. By taking on board these considerations, planners and developers can ensure that flood risks for new developments in the growth areas are managed sustainably, so that insurance may remain readily available for new properties.  Further details in the ABI press notice. Related Publications and Consultations Planning for Housing Provision (ODPM Consultation), September 2005 London Assembly Environment Committee Scrutiny on redevelopment of brownfield land, August 2005 Consultation on East London Sub-Regional Development Framework, July 2005 Consultation on South East Plan, April 2005 Modern methods of construction - insurance considerations, February 2005 Sustainability Appraisals for Regional Spatial Strategies, December 2004 Review of Planning Policy Guidance 25 (PPG25), November 2004 Environmental Audit Select Committee Enquiry on "Sustainable Housing", May 2004 ODPM Planning Policy Statement 1 - Creating Sustainable Communities, May 2004 EFRA Select Committee Report on “Climate Change and Water Security”, April 2004 Follow-up Review of Flooding in London, January 2004, then revised April 2004 Flood resilient homes - what homeowners can do to reduce flood damage, April 2004 Development planning and flood risk: ABI guidance on insurance issues, July 2003 (revised) Statement of Principles on provision of flood cover, September 2002 Useful Links ABI Flooding Webpage ABI Climate Change Webpage Environment Agency Flood Pages Office of the Deputy Prime Minister - Sustainable Communities Back to Top

Latest News October 2005 - The London Assembly's new report draws heavily on ABI's work on flood risk in the Thames Gateway, warning that fragmented responsibility for maintaining flood defences and lack of clarity over planning are putting London at risk of severe flooding. Further details in the London Assembly's Press Notice. Contents On this page, you'll find information on: Making Communities Sustainable: Managing Flood Risks in the Government's Growth Areas Strategic Planning for Flood Risk in the Growth Areas - Insurance Considerations Related Publications and Consultations Useful Links