One in Nine New English Homes Built in Flood-Prone Areas, Study Reveals
New data analysis shows that a significant proportion of new homes in England are being constructed in areas at high risk of flooding, raising alarms among environmental experts and insurance professionals.
Rising Flood Risk in New Developments
According to a study by insurance company Aviva, 11% of the 396,602 homes built in England between 2022 and 2024 are located in areas classified as having a medium or high risk of flooding. This represents an increase from one in 13 homes in the decade leading up to 2022, indicating a troubling trend as housebuilding accelerates.
The analysis, which combines new homes address data with the Environment Agency's latest flood risk assessments, reveals that more than a quarter (26%) of these new homes face some level of flood risk. Furthermore, a third (32%) of the constituencies with the highest number of new homes in high or medium flood risk areas are concentrated in Greater London or Essex.
Future Projections and Climate Impact
Looking ahead, the study projects that by 2050, one in seven (15%) of the homes built during this period will be at high or medium risk of flooding, with almost a third (30%) facing some kind of flood risk as extreme weather events worsen. This comes amid a period of extensive rainfall in the UK, with rivers reaching record-breaking levels and forecasts suggesting flooding could persist for months.
Emma Howard Boyd, former chairwoman of the Environment Agency, described the situation as "a future scandal waiting to happen" and called for urgent changes to planning rules. She criticized the government's National Planning Policy Framework for "watering down flood protections, meaning more water in our homes."
Insurance and Policy Concerns
Jason Storah, chief executive of UK and Ireland general insurance at Aviva, expressed support for Labour's pledge to build 1.5 million homes during this parliament but emphasized the importance of building in safe locations. He warned that new homes constructed in flood risk areas are not eligible for the Flood Re scheme, which aims to make insurance affordable for households in high-risk areas.
Homes built since 2009 are excluded from this scheme to discourage construction in flood-prone zones. Storah noted, "As our analysis shows, too many new homes have been built in higher-risk areas. It's particularly worrying that this trend has risen in recent years, just as house building accelerates."
The findings underscore the need for stricter planning regulations and greater consideration of climate risks in housing development to prevent future disasters and protect homeowners from financial and safety hazards.
