This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7244013.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Insurers want 'more flood rules' Insurers warn on flood risk homes
(about 3 hours later)
Stricter planning controls are required if flood insurance is to remain widely available for new homes, an insurance trade body has warned. Millions of homes could be uninsurable and uninhabitable unless stricter planning controls are introduced, an insurance trade body has warned.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said a third of the three million new homes the government wants to see by 2010 will be built on flood plains.The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said a third of the three million new homes the government wants to see by 2010 will be built on flood plains.
It warned that without tougher planning laws, increasing numbers of homeowners would find their houses uninsurable.
The ABI says last summer's floods cost the industry more than £3bn.The ABI says last summer's floods cost the industry more than £3bn.
It said 13 major developments have been passed, despite Environment Agency advice on flood risk in the past year.
'In jeopardy'
Seven of the sites, including a new caravan park and a development of bungalows, are deemed to be at high risk from flooding.
"The Government's ambitious housing plans are in jeopardy unless we reduce the flood risk," said the ABI's assistant director of property, Justin Jacobs."The Government's ambitious housing plans are in jeopardy unless we reduce the flood risk," said the ABI's assistant director of property, Justin Jacobs.
"In the last year, 13 major developments have been given the go-ahead despite Environment Agency advice on the flood risk. "Where a local authority plans to ignore flood risk advice, the government should step in and review the proposals and be compelled to publish their decision," he said.
"Where a local authority plans to ignore flood risk advice, the government should step in and review the proposals and be compelled to publish their decision." The association said where a local authority plans to ignore flood risk advice, the government should step in and review the proposals and be compelled to publish their decision.
He said: "Insurers want to continue to provide flood cover, but poor planning decisions will lead to more homes becoming unsaleable, uninsurable and uninhabitable."
Despite the Environment Agency being consulted on new developments, as a statutory requirement, planning permission was still being given despite the agency highlighting flood risks, the group said.
'Worst year'
At the same time it said some new developments were displacing flood risks to other areas.
The 2007 floods in Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire will cost the insurance industry more than £3 billion, and, combined with other events, they helped make 2007 the worst year ever for weather-related claims.
The ABI said insurers had so far paid out £1 billion of claims as a result of last summer's floods.
More than half of the 15,000 households that were in temporary accommodation have now been able to return home, while three-quarters of people are expected to be back in their own homes before Easter, it added.
Insurers have pledged to continue offering flood insurance to existing policyholders where the risk of floods is being managed.
But after the 2007 floods and in the light of the increasing number and extent of floods linked to climate change, the industry is reviewing the issue.