Oral QuestionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that new housing developments are adequately flood resilient.

Tabled: 18 November 2025Answered: 24 November 2025

Asked by

Brian Mathew

Liberal DemocratMelksham and Devizes

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government

Answer from Hansard

The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)

The national planning policy framework sets out a sequential approach to flood risk management, requiring inappropriate development to be directed away from areas at highest risk and providing strong safeguards where development is necessary in these areas. The updates to the framework made in December last year expanded the requirement for development to provide sustainable drainage systems. Statutory guidance accompanying building regulations promotes flood-resilient buildings in flood-prone areas through approved document C.