The Environmental Audit Committee has produced its analysis of the government's National Adaption Programme (NAP), finding that "priority risks" are not be addressed.

The report highlights that the Environment Agency does not consult on property developments of fewer than 10 houses, claiming that this has resulted in some 12,000 being built on floodplains each year.

-- Advertisement --

Joan Walley MP, chair of the committee, has said that the need to adapt to climate change is "unavoidable", with flooding posing the biggest risk in the UK.

"Continuing to build houses on floodplains at high risk of flooding is foolhardy as this is merely storing up risk and costs for the future. With flooding likely to increase the Government should enforce existing powers to require Sustainable drainage systems in all development," Ms Walley said.

(MH/CD)