Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the number of new homes built on flood plains in each of the last eight years.

Estimates of the numbers of homes built on flood plains can be obtained by comparing the percentage of new residential addresses created that were in National Flood Zone 3 with the new build completion statistics. These figures are available for 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 from:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/573278/1516_Land_Use_Change_Statistics_Live_Tables.xlsx
(Table P320); and

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/568411/LiveTable_120.xls (Table 120)

Figures for previous years exist only for 2011 and earlier years and are not on the same basis as those in Table P320. The percentage of new residential addresses created in 2017-18 that were in National Flood Zone 3 is due to be published in an updated version of Table P320 on 31 May

All local planning authorities are expected to follow the strict tests set out in national planning policy and guidance, which includes steering development away from high risk flood areas. Where development in flood risk areas is considered, national planning policy is clear that it should be safe, resilient and not increase flood risk anywhere. We have been clear that new housing is not appropriate and should not be allowed in a functional floodplain, where water has to flow or be stored in times of flood.