New guide to flooding risks

Flood assessments are being underlined as extremely important by the government with new handbooks being produced for planning officers which explain how to measure the risks of a flood.

Social and economic factors have to be considered when planning for floods and building developments are often considered on the grounds of local benefit even when a flood risk is posed to new buildings.

Steve Williams, the head of planning for South Holland District Council, said: "We are being told that flood risk is important and that is recognised by planners but we still have to make difficult decisions when it is a planning application and when you have to weigh up those different considerations."

He explained that the east of England is a current priority for planning officials because the fenland areas of the region are at risk of flooding so the Environment Agency is quickly trying to plan for the future.

Beaches are also a priority for the agency which is currently resuming its biannual recycling of the shingle on Seaford beach in Eastbourne.


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