Houses can be built on floodplains despite failing safety test, says high court
Decision to allow development of 190 new homes in north Somerset sparks campaign for change in the law Houses can be built on floodplains even if they fail a crucial safety test, according to a high court judgment that will be of “immense interest” to developers across England and Wales. The ruling clears the way for a highly controversial development of 190 new homes on north Somerset’s…
A high court ruling permits constructing 190 homes on a floodplain despite failing a critical safety test, according to legal experts. This decision, which the government and environmental groups are pushing to reverse, allows developers to proceed with the highly contentious project in north Somerset, even though the site is classified as a flood zone 3a, the most dangerous category of flood risk.
Developers Persimmon Homes won permission after identifying 12 alternative sites deemed less prone to flooding and overcoming strong opposition from politicians, local authorities, and residents concerned about increased flood risks. Critics argue the decision is a dangerous exploitation of planning loopholes that could set a national precedent for developers building on floodplains.
The chairman of a parliamentary group representing flood victims has called for a change in national planning policy to prevent similar decisions from being made across England and Wales. Residents in the vicinity of the proposed development fear their homes may become uninsurable and valueless in the event of flooding, as insurers and lenders have already refused to provide coverage for the site due to heightened flood risks.
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