ABI gives warning as government publishes flood risk report
The ABI has warned that new property developments that go ahead despite Environment Agency concerns about flood risk will be harder and more expensive to insure against flooding.
Responding to today’s publication of the Environment Agency’s annual Development and Flood Risk report, Nick Starling, the ABI’s director of general insurance and health, said: “Despite tougher planning controls, it is worrying that during 2007 and 2008 16 developments – which included 240 homes – were given planning permission despite the Environment Agency advising against them because of the flood risk. This highlights the importance of developers and planners following the ABI’s recently published guidance on insurance for new developments.
"Building on floodplains should be avoided, but if it has to take place then developers must ensure that properties incorporate measures to reduce and manage the flood risk. Without proper measures to reduce flood risk, these properties will be uninsurable, unsellable and uninhabitable.”
