B

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 20 November 2025

Debate

Water and Sewerage Companies: Statutory Consultees

Contribution

The National Planning Policy Framework is very clear that housing and most other types of development should not be permitted in functional flood plains—that is, in flood zone 3b—where water must flow or be stored during floods. Where development is necessary in such areas, it should be made safe for its lifetime without increasing flood risk elsewhere, so there must be no displacement of the risk. In 2023-24, 96% of all planning decisions complied with the Environment Agency advice on flood risk. In the same year, 99% of residential development proposals also complied with that advice.

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