Surge in homes built on flood plains
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 12:14 AM on 09th February 2009

The number of new homes being built in flood- risk areas is increasing - despite a Government pledge to crack down on reckless developers.
Local planners gave the go-ahead for at least 16 major developments in danger areas in 2007/2008 - putting hundreds of families at risk.
In every case, town hall chiefs ignored objections from the Environment Agency.
 

Foolish move: More and more homes are being built in 'dangerous' flood zones, despite government promises to crack down on the practice

The plans included at least 543 homes, a ferry terminal, office blocks and business park and even a primary school.
 

The full extent of building is likely to be far higher, as the Environment Agency hears about only a fraction of planning decisions.
 

The scale of approvals is even more surprising given that many developments were approved after the summer 2007 floods, when at least 13 people were killed and thousands of families lost their homes and possessions.
 

The floods cost the country at least £3billion.
 

Paul Leinster, chief executive of the Environment Agency, said: 'There are already millions of people at risk from flooding and this number is set to rise due to the impacts of climate change'.
 

There are at least two million homes on flood plains.

The insurance industry has said it will no longer cover people who move into new homes on such areas, unless builders have put in flood defences.