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Flooding Could Make New Homes Uninsurable

Posted: 01/12/2005

More than 200,000 of the homes the Government plans to build in South-East England will be located on flood plains, claims a report by a leading insurer. Opposition by many residents' groups to the controversial proposals is likely to be strengthened by fresh evidence that the homes will be "uninsurable" - and thus unmortgageable.

More Than, which is a division of Royal & SunAlliance, estimates that 1.5m people are already at "high risk from flooding" and forecasts this will rise to 3.5m if the Government goes ahead with its plans. David Pitt, of More Than, said: "Planned new development and deteriorating defences could lead to many households and businesses being uninsurable in the future."

The Environment Agency estimates that at least five million people are at risk of flooding in the UK. Planned building in the flood risk areas, such as the Thames Gateway, Ashford, Milton Keynes and along the London-Stansted-Cambridge corridor, will put additional pressure on water run-off and drainage, increasing the potential for flooding.

But an Environment Agency spokesman dismissed the insurer's warning, saying: "The Thames Barrier will not 'stop working' in 2030. However, as we are aware that sea levels are rising and flood risk is an ongoing threat to London, we are already in the process of developing a flood risk management plan for London and the Thames Estuary to cover the next 100 years. "In the meantime we have a continued programme of inspection and maintenance which will see around £200m spent on the Thames tidal flood defences in the next 15 years."

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is spending £564 million a year on flood protection, but climate change studies in the Foresight Future Flooding Report suggest that at least another £10 million to £30 million is needed every year. A Defra spokesman said: "We are now committed to spend £570 million a year to 2007/8. This is £260 million a year more than in 1997; an increase in real terms of 40 per cent. However, it would be unrealistic to believe that flooding can be totally eliminated."

Richard Mason, director of insuresupermarket.com, said: "The environmental changes we are experiencing in the UK mean that flash flooding is becoming more common, and areas that were once unthreatened by flooding are suddenly at risk. But even if you live in a high risk area, it is still possible to save a great deal on your home insurance by shopping around. And once an insurer has provided a policy, it is obliged to continue that cover even if you become at risk from flooding, albeit at an increased premium."

Householders in high-risk areas can take measures to protect their homes, which will cut insurance premiums. Flood boards can be put around doors to keep water out, while installing one-way valves in drainage pumps will stop sewage backing up into the house.

Faith Archer / The Telegraph  
 

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