Member

I turn finally to Amendment 135C. The Bill is a missed opportunity to address flooding, flood risk management and coastal change. I am very happy to be corrected by the Minister if I have this wrong, but there seems to be no mention or amelioration of this in the Bill. Let us not forget that there are currently 6.3 million properties at risk of flooding in the UK, and we have already heard that that is expected to rise. Amendment 135C would hold developers to account, ensuring they demonstrate how their plans contribute to climate and flood resilience. It would require the Secretary of State to publish an annual review, so that the Government and Parliament can see whether progress is being made. It would also ensure that no local planning authority can approve an application for development unless it is satisfied that the applicant has considered how the plans would contribute to climate and flood resilience in the nearby area.