Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Flooding: Protecting Vulnerable Communities

Thursday 8 May 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mr Alex Barros-Curtis raised concerns about flooding damage to Radyr cricket club in Cardiff West, which forced the closure of the club and exposed electrical cables.
  • Nick Timothy inquired about a planning application for a biodigester near Haverhill and Withersfield in flood risk zone 3 land, questioning the appropriateness of development in such areas.
  • The Government highlighted the importance of ensuring flood resilience and resistance for necessary developments in flood-prone areas, adhering to the national planning policy framework.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alex Barros-Curtis Lab Cardiff West
Housing Local Government Environment
Context

Recent storms damaged the Radyr cricket club and exposed electrical cables, forcing the closure of the club. The site is next to important electricity infrastructure serving up to 930 customers. There's an impasse over who will take responsibility for securing the river bank and electricity infrastructure.

Question

Following the recent storm season, serious flooding damaged the foundations of Radyr cricket club and exposed electrical cables, which forced the club to close and cancel practice until the site was made safe. The club is also situated next to important electricity infrastructure, which means up to 930 customers could be put at risk of disruption. I have been working with Councillor Helen Lloyd Jones to try and find a way forward between National Grid and Natural Resources Wales to establish who will take responsibility for securing the river bank and the electricity infrastructure. Unfortunately, we are at an impasse, and my constituents continue to be vulnerable to further flooding. Will the Minister meet me to establish what the UK Government can do to try and help break that impasse before the next storm season hits?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Hardy)

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important issue, and I am sorry to hear about the issues his constituents are facing with flooding—I know at first hand how disruptive and awful flooding can be. As I am sure he knows, flooding is a devolved matter in Wales, but I would of course be happy to work with him and to facilitate the meeting that he requested.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Nick Timothy Con West Suffolk
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

A biodigester near Haverhill and Withersfield in West Suffolk is scheduled to be decided next month. The proposed site is on flood risk zone 3 land.

Question

Next month, a planning application for a biodigester near Haverhill and Withersfield in West Suffolk will be decided. It is the wrong location for many reasons, not least the risk of flooding as the proposed site is on flood risk zone 3 land. What are the Government doing to prevent development on land susceptible to flooding?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Hardy)

The hon. Gentleman raises an important point. Of course, the national planning policy framework is clear that where development in areas at risk of flooding is necessary, local planning authorities and developers should ensure that the development is appropriately flood resilient and resistant, safe for the development’s lifetime and, importantly, will not increase flood risk elsewhere. We are also looking at other measures, such as sustainable urban drainage systems, to be included in planning as well.

Partly answered

How: Under Review, Looking At

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)