Flood Re has raised concerns that the evidence used to inform planning decisions on flood risk for new developments is often out of date and difficult to access. It also said there was little transparency around how decisions were made and little control in how compliance was ensured. The findings came from research from the Town and Country Planning Authority, commissioned by Flood Re.

Dermot Kehoe, director of communications and transition at Flood Re, said: “It is vital that new homes built in England are not at risk of flooding. Householders want to feel secure in their home and be confident that it will be insurable and mortgageable now and into the future. It is also important for wider insurance availability that we do not increase the total amount of flood risk the market is required to insure.

“This research shows that while there are areas of good practice, this is not consistent and the system lacks the transparency and clarity that could give home buyers, their insurers and lenders confidence that no new home is being built at flood risk.”