Following the Government statement on flooding caused by by Storm Ciara, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown raises concerns at the many houses still being built on floodplains and calls on the Government to ensure where planning decisions are overturned on appeal there is always a condition that the local authority must approve a satisfactory drainage system.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (The Cotswolds) (Con)
My right hon. Friend has twice mentioned the planning system. In my view, too many houses are still being built on floodplains, causing problems not only for them but for houses downstream from them. Will she work with colleagues from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government so that where the local authority planning decision is overturned on appeal the Planning Inspectorate always encloses a condition that the local authority must approve a satisfactory drainage system?
Theresa Villiers
My hon. Friend raises very important points. It is vital to ensure that our planning system properly takes into account flood risk, and I will continue to engage with colleagues in MHCLG on how we ensure that takes place.
Hansard