Rush to build new homes will increase flooding, experts warn

clock • 4 min read

Plans for one million new homes by 2020 risk overwhelming drains, unless the government ends freeze on legal requirements for sustainable drainage

The rush to build one million new homes in England by 2020 is set to increase flooding by overwhelming drains, according to the nation's building and flooding professionals. The risk could be avoided,...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Risk

'A fundamental shift': What do the UK's new Sustainability Reporting Standards mean for businesses?

'A fundamental shift': What do the UK's new Sustainability Reporting Standards mean for businesses?

Finalised standards on assessing and disclosing corporate sustainability data and climate-related risks and opportunities have finally arrived - and they are expected to become mandatory in the near future

Michael Holder
clock 26 February 2026 • 6 min read
Friends of the Earth urges politicians to make polluters pay for flood defences

Friends of the Earth urges politicians to make polluters pay for flood defences

A further 1.89 million people will face the highest risk of flooding if emissions and climate impacts are left unchecked, new analysis claims

Stuart Stone
clock 25 February 2026 • 5 min read
Study: One-in-nine new homes built in England's flood-risk areas

Study: One-in-nine new homes built in England's flood-risk areas

Insurance giant urges government to publish flood data and strengthen planning laws, warning that number new homes at risk of flooding could reach one-in seven by 2050

Stuart Stone
clock 18 February 2026 • 6 min read