The ABI has called for a halt to building on the floodplain.
Head of property at the ABI, Jane Milne, commented at the Housebuilding 2006 Conference: “We want people to be able to make a home for their families. But the rising flood risk threatens some of the areas targeted in the Government's ambitious plans for new homes and could turn these dreams into nightmares. We must avoid building on the floodplain wherever possible.
“Sensible planning now will reduce the significant costs in the future: the average insurance claim for flooding costs up to £30,000. ABI members are committed to continuing insurance wherever possible for existing customers, but will look more critically at new builds.”
Despite advice to the contrary from the Environment Agency, 800 new housing developments have been built in the past four years in areas of high flood risk.
