Insurer Allianz has warned of the potential risk facing more than 7,000 new homes with full or conditional approval planning permission on previously undeveloped floodplain land. The findings are published in a report commissioned by the insurer and conducted by think tank Localis, entitled Plain dealing revisited: Planning for flood resilience.

Caroline Johnson, claims director of personal lines insurance at Allianz UK, said: “It is concerning to see so many homes being given planning permission in these areas. Floods are traumatic events for householders, who can see their homes ruined and a lifetime’s worth of possessions destroyed.

“The Government has announced ambitious plans to build 1.5m homes over the course of this Parliament, and while we know more new homes are necessary, it is important that they are resilient to floods and bad weather.

“Our changing climate means that floods and severe weather are likely to become more common. It is important for national and local planners and developers to work together to prevent unnecessary development in high-risk flood areas and ensure that new homes are more resilient to floods.”