Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance the Government provides to local authorities on planning permission rules for roof terraces on buildings on flood plains.

National planning policy and guidance on managing flood risk is clear that inappropriate development in areas at current or future risk of flooding should be avoided by directing development away from areas at highest risk, including floodplains, towards areas at least risk. Only water compatible or essential infrastructure developments are allowed in the functional floodplain, where water has to flow or be stored during times of flood. Where development is necessary in a flood risk area, and where there are no suitable sites available in areas with a lower risk of flooding, it should be made safe without increasing flood risk elsewhere and be appropriately flood resistant and resilient.

Policy is clear that householder applications for minor development and changes of use require a site-specific flood risk assessment for all development in Flood Zones 2 and 3. Furthermore, the Environment Agency are a statutory consultee for minor development in Flood Zone 3 that is within 20 metres of a main river, and also provide advice for minor development in other areas.

We are reviewing our policy for building in areas at flood risk, and alongside the Government’s £5.2 billion investment in additional flood defences announced at Budget, this will seek to ensure that communities across the country know that future development will be safe from floods. We will assess whether current protections in the National Planning Policy Framework are enough and consider options for further reform .