Recommendation 30

Written evidence from Flood Re highlighted that the Agency does not have responsibility for surface water flooding and it has concerns about the impacts of developments in dense urban areas where surface water flood risks are high. It also has concerns that there is an inconsistent approach to climate change risk in the planning review process, and that local authorities lack skills and support to take a long-term view. It also highlighted the disconnect between the developers who financially benefit from new housing developments and those who face the consequences of it not being sustainable or insurable in the future. Current planning guidance allows developers to build houses in a flood risk area as long as there is space for flood defence measures to be installed in the future, but with no obligation on the developer to pay for future mitigation measures.34 31 Q 61 32 Written evidence submitted by the Association of British Insurers, MFR0002, 14 January 2021; Written evidence submitted by Flood Re, MFR0003, 14 January 2021. 33 Qq 65–66 34 Written evidence submitted by Flood Re, MFR0003, 14 January 2021. 16 Managing food risk