‘Dysfunction’ in the English planning system is leaving new housing development vulnerable to flood risk, according to a new report published today by the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA). The research identified a catalogue of operational issues which overall show the planning system is failing to prioritise or secure long-term resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Drawing on two in-depth case studies, stakeholder interviews and a literature review, the research examined the effectiveness of the planning system for the delivery of flood resilient new housing development in England.
It found that the evidence used to inform planning decisions on flood risk is often out of date and difficult to access, while regulation is hindered by institutional complexity and a complicated division of roles and responsibilities. The research also explored the complex post-consent planning process, which was found to be lacking in transparency, subject to little scrutiny for compliance, and difficult for communities to engage with.
To ensure more flood resilient new development, the TCPA is calling for urgent action in three key areas: the quality of evidence and data to inform planning decisions must be improved, the mechanisms for securing the measures necessary to make development safe from flood risk need to be reviewed, and the regulatory system must be more robust to ensure these measures are delivered in practice.
Celia Davis, Senior projects and policy manager at the TCPA said:
“The planning system should play a vital role in delivering flood resilient new development. However, our research reveals that it is failing to deliver safe developments due to procedural issues, which are borne out within a malfunctional system. Fundamental change is needed to secure a regulatory regime that keeps communities safe from the increasing risk of flooding for the long-term.”
The research was commissioned by Flood Re, a joint initiative between the government and insurers which aims to make the flood cover part of household insurance policies more affordable.
View the report: Delivering flood resilience through the planning system in England
