Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 7 January (HL67), whether they will now answer the question put, namely, what assessment they have made of the case for ensuring that flood proofing is included in the designs for new domestic and commercial buildings.

No assessment has been made as development proposals can already be required to include flood proofing measures where the site is at potential risk of flooding. National planning policy is clear that inappropriate development in areas at current or future risk of flooding should be avoided, directing development away from areas at highest risk. Where development is necessary in such areas, and where there are no suitable sites available in areas with a lower risk of flooding, it should be made safe without increasing flood risk elsewhere and be appropriately flood resilient and resistant.