Recommendations & Conclusions
5 items
8
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Flooding
Acknowledged
Climate change poses a grave threat to the flood resilience of communities, with the Climate Change Committee warning that warming of 4°C or more implies inevitable increases in flood risk even in the most ambitious adaptation scenarios considered. The Government needs to be frank about the level of risk it …
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Climate change poses a grave threat to the flood resilience of communities, with the Climate Change Committee warning that warming of 4°C or more implies inevitable increases in flood risk even in the most ambitious adaptation scenarios considered. The Government needs to be frank about the level of risk it is prepared to accept in extreme climate change scenarios, and those likely to be affected need to know now. The Government should explain how a reasonable worst-case scenario for increased flood and coastal risk due to climate change would impact upon its national objective for flood resilience, and what this would mean for funding and decisions about whether to protect any given place.
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Government response AI summary
The Government acknowledged climate change risks, stating these are recognised in its UK Climate Change Risk Assessment and National Risk Register, and that policies are informed by climate projections. It highlighted existing work like the National Flood Resilience Review and a forthcoming updated National Flood …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
15
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Flooding
Acknowledged
Our engagement with local communities at risk of flooding has highlighted the significant long-term challenges that result from a flood. In particular, the mental health impacts of flooding have been vividly described to us. This includes both the initial trauma of having one’s home flooded, and the resultant anxiety whenever …
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Our engagement with local communities at risk of flooding has highlighted the significant long-term challenges that result from a flood. In particular, the mental health impacts of flooding have been vividly described to us. This includes both the initial trauma of having one’s home flooded, and the resultant anxiety whenever severe weather approaches. There is a lack of support for long-term recovery after a flood, once the immediate response phase has passed. We agree with the Government that support should be delivered in the most effective way, often by local government or voluntary groups. In establishing the Flood Recovery Framework the Government has, rightly, accepted that it has a responsibility to support communities struck by severe flooding. It should not forget them when the flood waters recede. We look forward to further detail from the Government on how it will engage with local partners to make sure that these communities are properly supported.
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Government response AI summary
The Government acknowledged the crucial role of community engagement and the third sector, stating it will work with these groups to ensure future flood risk management planning includes meaningful community engagement and committed to reviewing the voluntary sector's role and Environment Agency's resources to improve …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
19
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Flooding
Acknowledged
While we welcome the commitment to consider improving transparency for flood risk advice, the Government must ensure that any development which still goes ahead against advice is clearly communicated to prospective homebuyers. The Government should ensure that information on development against flood risk advice is published in a clear and …
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While we welcome the commitment to consider improving transparency for flood risk advice, the Government must ensure that any development which still goes ahead against advice is clearly communicated to prospective homebuyers. The Government should ensure that information on development against flood risk advice is published in a clear and accessible form.
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Government response AI summary
The government recognises the importance of transparency for homebuyers and highlights existing flood risk information tools. It commits to continually reviewing what more can be done to improve transparency and accessibility of flood risk information, but does not specifically commit to publishing details on developments …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
21
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Flooding
Acknowledged
We welcome the Government’s commitment to act upon our recommendations regarding the cumulative impact on flood risk of smaller developments. While we recognise that national planning policy does refer to cumulative impacts, this has clearly not allayed concerns that these impacts are not given due regard when planning decisions are …
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We welcome the Government’s commitment to act upon our recommendations regarding the cumulative impact on flood risk of smaller developments. While we recognise that national planning policy does refer to cumulative impacts, this has clearly not allayed concerns that these impacts are not given due regard when planning decisions are made. The Government should, as part of its review of planning policy for flood risk, establish to what extent flood risk is increased by the lack of scrutiny given to the cumulative impacts of smaller and permitted development.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the potential impact of cumulative development and refers to existing planning policy. It states that future planning reforms will streamline processes and enable authorities to focus on complex applications with cumulative impacts, but does not commit to establishing the specific extent of …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
23
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Flooding
Acknowledged
The engagement of communities in the development of local plans is already inadequate, and the proposed reforms to the planning system must not compound this problem. Greater community involvement in planning decisions in many areas at flood risk would have the twin benefits of building trust and contributing valuable technical …
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The engagement of communities in the development of local plans is already inadequate, and the proposed reforms to the planning system must not compound this problem. Greater community involvement in planning decisions in many areas at flood risk would have the twin benefits of building trust and contributing valuable technical knowledge about drainage issues. The Government should develop national guidance on incorporating local knowledge of flood risk into planning decisions, the development of local plans and the preparation of strategic and site-specific Flood Risk Assessments.
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Government response AI summary
The government highlights its White Paper's proposals for deeper community engagement in local plan development and the statutory duties of lead local flood authorities. However, it does not commit to developing specific national guidance on incorporating local knowledge of flood risk into planning decisions and …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs