Thousands of new London homes 'to be built in flood risk areas'

Tens of thousands of new homes could be built on areas at risk of flooding across London, it was claimed today.

The Countryside Alliance said figures obtained from London boroughs following a Freedom of Information request showed more than 43,000 homes were planned for construction on flood risk areas or flood plains.

The alliance said that despite changes to Government planning policy in 2006 to ensure flooding is taken into account at all stages to prevent inappropriate development, thousands of homes were already planned in at-risk areas.

The alliance labelled the situation as a "time-bomb" which could lead to thousands of un-insurable homes in London under constant risk of flooding.

A total of 19 local authorities in the capital supplied figures which revealed that of 206,875 houses planned in their areas, some 43,630 were in flood plains or flood risk areas.

The highest numbers were in Southwark (12,065 homes), Barking and Dagenham (18,000 homes) and Lewisham (10,438 homes).

Michelle Nudds, south east regional director of the Countryside Alliance, said: "There is no point addressing the problem of affordable housing by building houses that are unsustainable because of flooding.

"Climate change and the increasing frequency of major flooding incidents have led the Government to address the risk of flooding for new development through the planning process.

"This does not, however, address the legacy of development proposed before the new policy."

The Countryside Alliance urged the Government to carry out a full audit of housing proposed in flood risk areas and reassess the plans in light of the new rules.

A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said: "It is councils who take decisions on individual developments but we have put in place the toughest ever planning rules.

"For the first time all councils must now consult the Environment Agency on their housing plans to ensure all new homes are safe from flooding and properly sustainable for the future.

"We have also made it clear the Government is prepared to take over decisions if any councils persists with plans against the Environment Agency's advice."

The department said the new rules had been praised by Sir Michael Pitt, who has been charged with producing an independent report into last year's devastating floods which hit much of the country, and have been backed by the Association of British Insurers.