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Flooding: Planning and Developer Responsibilities
13 May 2025
Lead MP
George Freeman
Mid Norfolk
Con
Responding Minister
Emma Hardy
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Word Count: 10603
Other Contributors: 21
At a Glance
George Freeman raised concerns about flooding: planning and developer responsibilities in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Freeman requests that developers take responsibility and upgrade drainage infrastructure as part of new developments, addressing the issue of older villages unable to cope with increased growth due to inadequate existing drainage systems.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The issue of inland flooding is prevalent in Mid Norfolk and other areas. George Freeman highlights the serious flooding that occurred in 22 villages, affecting more than five houses at a time, with examples like Mill Lane in Attleborough where 100 houses flooded last autumn due to sewage washing between homes.
Blake Stephenson
Con
Mid Bedfordshire
Asked about the Government’s plans to tackle flooding problems in new housing developments.
West Dorset
The hon. Member agreed with making water companies statutory consultees in the planning process to ensure proper infrastructure can support new developments.
Emma Hardy
Lab
Kingston upon Hull East
Acknowledged the record investment in flood defences and emphasised the importance of partnerships and sustainable development practices. She also discussed planning policies aimed at reducing flood risk.
Henley and Thame
Highlights a case in Playhatch where development causes flooding, urging the government to make sustainable drainage provisions statutory.
George Freeman
Con
Mid Norfolk
Expressed concern over the increasing frequency and severity of flooding, citing specific figures for recent claims and property damage in Norfolk. Urged the Minister to grant local communities more power and funding to address these issues effectively.
Epsom and Ewell
Raises the issue of professional consultees not having equal weight as statutory consultees in development discussions, supporting the idea that water companies should be made statutory consultees for medium to large developments.
Helen Morgan
LD
North Shropshire
Discussed coordination issues, insurance challenges, and the need for updates on Flood Re’s remit.
Chichester
Critiques historical planning failures that have worsened flood risks in low-lying coastal regions of Chichester district, advocating for water companies to be statutory consultees and calling for better alignment between development plans and up-to-date flood risk methodologies.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Shannon points out that old systems, where storm drains and sewage are combined, cannot cope with heavy rainstorms. He questions Freeman about solutions for both new and existing developments to address the issue.
Julia Buckley
Lab
Shrewsbury
Flooding is a priority for Shrewsbury residents and businesses. Over £16 million has been invested in flood protection projects along the River Severn catchment. New datasets help individual residents and businesses assess flood risks.
Matt Rodda
Lab
Reading Central
Described local flooding issues in Reading and endorsed the work to bring landowners together.
Mike Martin
LD
Tunbridge Wells
Developers in Mike Martin's constituency have mixed surface run-off with foul water, which is illegal. There should be consequences for such actions to prevent similar issues in the future.
Gagan Mohindra
Con
South West Hertfordshire
Addressed flood impacts on residents, highlighting problematic areas and urging for better planning and infrastructure investment.
Julie Minns
Lab
Carlisle
Presents an example from Carlisle where developers are building homes that can flood safely, suggesting responsible innovation in design.
Navendu Mishra
Lab
Stockport
Discusses recent flooding incidents at Meadow Mill in Stockport, highlighting the need for more funding from the Environment Agency and addressing the significant insurance costs faced by residents affected by floods.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Moore echoed concerns raised in the debate, acknowledging the impact of flooding on communities and farmers. He highlighted progress made by the previous Government since 2010 but also stressed the need for more to be done.
Sarah Dyke
LD
Glastonbury and Somerton
Discusses the importance of local elected officials in decision-making for community and environmental protection.
North Norfolk
Developing homes without proper provision for flood alleviation or sustainable drainage could be a costly mistake. The Government should consider the impact of man-made climate change on flooding and ensure that new developments are prepared for future extremes.
Terry Jermy
Lab
South West Norfolk
Asked about the draft Bill addressing internal drainage board levies and called for a permanent, full-time solution to funding issues related to IDBs in his constituency where 43p of every pound collected in council tax goes towards these levies. Called for cross-departmental solutions and funding support for internal drainage boards’ pumps.
Tim Farron
LD
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Argues for the importance of local knowledge in planning decisions and supports new clause 7 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
Tulip Siddiq
Lab
Hampstead and Highgate
Siddiq acknowledges surface water flooding in Hampstead, where the risk is higher than for rivers and seas. She supports City Hall's surface water strategy and emphasises the role of developers in managing such risks.
Government Response
Emma Hardy
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Government Response
The Minister thanked all hon. Members who contributed to the debate and acknowledged important points made by various MPs regarding surface water flooding, internal drainage boards, flooding and insurance, flood action groups, and maps. She also clarified that funding for flooding has not been cut, with a record £2.65 billion investment over two years.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.