MPs criticise building homes in floor risk areas

[brian]

Well, as if it was a surprise to anyone - apparently building developers have been building too much in flood-risk areas - and no one's stopping them:

The Environment Agency should be given tougher powers to oppose house building on flood risk areas, MPs have said.

The environment, food and rural affairs select committee criticised authorities for allowing homes to be built in flood risk areas against expert advice.

More than 5m people and 2m homes and businesses were at risk of flooding.

Members of the committee say they were concerned that in 2004 nearly 700 houses were built in flood risk areas against agency advice.

They also said with the effects of climate change, the risk of flooding could only increase.

[Jayne]

I've seen this on the news. It's bloody silly. I think they should knock down some of these crappy council estates and build nice flats instead with communal gardens. If there is a shortage of land etc, go up like the US does. The apartments there get more expensive the higher they are!

Jayne

[brian]

It seems insane and stupid the way they're risking peoples homes by building on flood plains - I'm really really surprised they can get planning permission if the Environmental Agency objects - but I guess, in the end, money talks.

[John]

Absolutely ridiculous. They turn down planning applications for all sorts of silly little reasons like there is one too many bedrooms or they don't like that size window, then they rubber stamp plans to build on a floodplain.

It's inconsistancy at best, and down-right dangerous at worst. The people that buy these properties aren't told they might be flooded and offered 50% off the asking price are they? But, unfortunately, as Brian pointed out - money talks.