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New UK Homes Built in Flood Zones Rise Sharply
18 Feb
Summary
- One in nine new English homes from 2022-2024 are in flood risk areas.
- This rate is higher than the previous 2013-2022 analysis.
- Homes built after 2009 are not covered by the Flood Re scheme.
Data revealed between 2022 and 2024, one in nine new homes constructed in England were situated in areas posing a medium or high risk of flooding. This alarming increase surpasses the previous decade's figures, highlighting growing vulnerability amid accelerating climate breakdown.
Experts express concern that housing targets might pressure developers to build in flood-prone regions, potentially exacerbating future risks. Homes built since 2009 are notably excluded from the Flood Re insurance scheme, leaving their occupants without crucial financial protection against flood damage.
By 2050, an estimated 15% of homes built between 2022 and 2024 could face medium or high flood risk, with nearly a third experiencing some level of flooding due to predicted extreme rainfall.
In response to soaring flood claims, insurers are urging government action, advocating for strengthened planning rules to halt development in high-risk zones and mandating flood resilience measures in new construction. The government maintains that its plans will ensure safety and invest in flood defenses, though dispute exists over whether flood defenses are factored into the analysis.
