Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 32
32
Paragraph: 225
The Government should clarify how it intends to define flood risk in the planning system.
Recommendation
The Government should clarify how it intends to define flood risk in the planning system. This includes clarifying how this will take account of the possible impact of climate change and how it fits within wider flooding policy.
Paragraph Reference:
225
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
65. In July 2021 the Government updated the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) placing a stronger emphasis on the importance of delivering sustainable development to help ensure developments respond to the impacts of climate change, are energy efficient, and reduce carbon emissions. As part of the changes to the planning system the status of national policies used for development management purposes will be elevated, meaning that environmental policies have greater weight in the system. 66. The NPPF explains that all sources of flood risk need to be considered (including areas that are at risk of surface water flooding due to drainage problems), taking into account future flood risk, to ensure that any new development is safe for its lifetime without increasing the risk of flooding elsewhere. The NPPF is clear that areas at little or no risk of flooding from any source should always be developed in preference to areas at a higher risk of flooding. 67. In addition, through enhanced long-term water industry planning processes, the Environment Bill will support our ambition to increase resilience to extreme weather events and the risk of sewer and surface water flooding.