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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that housebuilders take account of (a) heatwaves, (b) flash flooding and (c) other effects of climate change in building new homes.

We have built into the planning system, through the NPPF and its accompanying guidance, clear expectations on adaptation and resilience to climate change impacts. All plans should take account of a changing climate, including implications for flood risk, coastal change, water supply, biodiversity, landscapes and rising temperatures.

When considering new development in areas which are vulnerable (e.g. to increased flood risk), care should be taken to ensure that risks can be managed through suitable adaptation measures, including through the provision of green infrastructure such as multi-functional sustainable drainage systems

In the Government’s response to the Environmental Audit Committee’s enquiry into heatwaves we set out our intention to consult on a method for reducing overheating risk in new homes. This will be done alongside the Government’s review into the energy efficiency standards of the Building Regulations.