On 6th May, Senior Policy and Research Manager, Rob Allen, provided opening remarks at an APPG for Flooding and Flooded Communities meeting, alongside Town and Country Planning Association Director of Policy, Hugh Ellis, and National Flood Forum CEO, Tracey Garrett.

Rob set out his thoughts on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which, as introduced, contained no reference to flood risk management or coastal change. He went on to discuss how the bill could be improved, including the need to strengthen the Sequential and Exception tests so they are less vulnerable to legal challenges, as has been seen recently in Yatton. Rob also explained how the Bill could be used as a legislative vehicle to implement Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act – something that will be vital to enable the widespread use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and reduce surface water flooding in new development. Finally, Rob raised concerns about the slow uptake of Property Flood Resilience measures, which will help homes in vulnerable communities remain insurable once the Flood Re reinsurance scheme is withdrawn in 2039. Policy Connect recently called for basic Property Flood Resilience measures to be mandated within all new homes as part of its Bricks and Water report.

A lively discussion between the APPG’s Parliamentary members followed, including contributions from Baroness McIntosh of Pickering, Tulip Siddiq MP, Tessa Munt MP, Amanda Hack MP, and Julia Buckley MP.

You can read more about Policy Connect’s view on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill here.