Sponsored by
'450 homes for flood-risk spots'
HUNDREDS of new homes could be built in parts of Sheffield in danger of flooding - despite changes to planning policy meaning new developments should not happen in high-risk areas.
Campaign group The Countryside Alliance revealed that of 28,550 properties waiting to be built in the city, 450 are on the flood plain.
It fears the properties in danger areas could end up "uninsurable and under constant risk of flooding".
Homes proposed in areas with potential for flooding were given the go-ahead before planning policy was altered in 2006 - and before last summer's devastating downpours.
The organisation has called on the Government for a national audit of all such schemes.
Richard Dodd, of the Count-ryside Alliance, said: "There is no point building houses that are unsustainable because of flooding. Climate change and the increasing frequency of major flooding incidents have led the Government to address the risk of flooding for new development through the planning process.
"This does not, however, address development proposed before the new policy."
He added: "The government needs to carry out a full audit of housing proposed for flood risk areas. Inappropriate development in flood risk areas is wrong.
"The alternative is a time-bomb of thousands of un-insurable homes under constant risk of flooding."
New government planning policy, which was introduced in 2006, aims to "ensure flood risk is taken into account at all stages in the planning process to avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk, and to direct development away from areas at highest risk".
But Sheffield Council would not rule out development proceeding on the flood risk sites, depending on further assessment.
Interim head of planning Phil Abbott said: "The 450 properties referred to have not received planning permission but are possible allocations in the new Sheffield Development Framework.
"However, these are still subject to further assessment, consultation and, in particular, agreement with the Environ-ment Agency. The council would not grant planning permission for housing on any of these sites contrary to Envir-onment Agency advice."
Sheffield Central Green Party councillor Bernard Little said: "English Nature, the Environment Agency and water management agencies must be given the power to stop and reverse developments that make flooding more likely."
He also criticised the government for its "bad handling" of a request to the EU for grants to help recover from last summer's disaster.
The Star revealed Britain will only receive a third of the European grants it would have been entitled to because of agreements meaning it contributes less to the fund.
Rotherham has no outstanding developments on flood plains, while Barnsley and Doncaster Councils failed to provide information.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
