'Worrying' number of new homes in London are being built in flood risk areas

"Analysis by insurer Aviva reveals that 11% of the 396,602 new homes in England built between 2022 and 2024 were built in areas of medium or high risk of flooding, while more than a quarter (26%) have some flood risk. While comparable statistics have not been published since 2022, Aviva said its assessment showed the number of homes built in flood risk areas has accelerated as housebuilding increases. The problem is particularly acute in and around the capital, the analysis reveals."

"Around 32,000 to 35,000 new homes have been built in London each year between 2022 and 2024, falling short of the 52,000 to 100,000 annual target. A "perfect storm" of high interest rates, rising construction costs, and planning application declines (22% drop in 2023) has impacted the supply. And, as the risk of flooding rises with climate change, even more of the recently built homes will be in flood risk areas by 2050, Aviva analysis shows."

"Commenting on the findings, chairwoman of the London Climate Resilience Review, Emma Howard Boyd, warned building houses that would flood was "a future scandal waiting to happen". "With scientists warning that parts of the UK could be at risk of further flooding for months to come because so much rain has fallen this year, now is the time to strengthen planning rules. "Yet the current Government National Planning Policy Framework consultation points to watering down flood protections, meaning more water in our homes," she warned."

Data from new-home addresses and the Environment Agency's flooding assessment indicate that 11% of the 396,602 homes built in England between 2022 and 2024 were constructed in medium or high flood-risk areas, and 26% have some flood risk. A third of the constituencies with the most new homes in flood-risk zones are in London or Essex, and the issue is particularly acute around the capital. London delivered roughly 32,000–35,000 new homes annually in that period, below target. High interest rates, rising construction costs and a 22% fall in planning applications in 2023 constrained supply. Climate change will increase flood risk, exposing more recent homes by 2050.

Read at www.standard.co.uk