Despite the UK currently enjoying some very welcome warm weather, the reality is that as a nation we experience considerable rainfall – regrettably the threat of inland flooding is a reality for far too many residents. In my Mid Norfolk constituency, we find ourselves at a critical juncture – flooding is no longer merely a seasonal inconvenience – it is becoming a recurring disaster that has devastating consequences for communities, ecosystems, and economies.
The floods that plagued Norfolk in December 2020 were an eye-opener for many. When I received calls from distressed constituents—struggling to bail water from their homes, remove sewage, and remedy the aftermath of torrential rains—it was clear the damage was widespread. Not just in my constituency, but in numerous other regions across the country, it became evident that we must confront the realities of climate change and the complexities of multi-agency engagement. I saw firsthand the struggle that homeowners faced in securing help and the enduring consequences that regular flooding has on insurance payments and mortgage approvals.
That is why I believe we must take bold action and I will be presenting before parliament my 10 minute rule bill. Inland Flooding Prevention (Responsibilities, Funding & Liabilities).
The Bill will focus on four main areas:
🔹Responsibilities: the need for much clearer responsibilities at national and local level – in particular stronger local powers for LFAs and IDBs on the ground.
🔹Funding: the need for local LFAs, DBS to be properly funded thru a top slice of the EA’s £2.5bn per annum funding and a clear national funding plan for investment needed in drainage infrastructure and flood prevention.l
🔹Liabilities: proposal for new liabilities on developers who build significant new housing developments that subsequently flood within a 10 year period.
🔹Data & Mapping: the need for much better data and heat mapping of flooding incidents (nationally and locally)
Planning decisions often neglect the long-term consequences of development. For instance, poorly designed infrastructure, such as the culvert at Mill Lane in Attleborough in my Mid Norfolk constituency has exacerbated flooding in the area for years. This is a tangible example of how inadequate planning and lack of accountability can lead to chronic issues for local residents.
I believe there must be greater accountability on developers and if they fail to deliver, appropriate liabilities imposed. Statutory consultations with water companies should be embedded within the planning process, with adequate drainage and flood management in place before any new housing is approved.
In this month’s Westminster Hall debate that I led on flooding, the DEFRA Minister stated that a review of Internal Drainage Board costs and funding structures will take place. This is welcome news but if we are to truly address the ongoing problem of inland flooding, ministers need to be radical in their approach and transfer powers from green quangos in London to local councils, communities, IDBs and farmers who understand their local river catchments. For far too long, despite huge investments in and by the Environment Agency (much on coastal protection) we have seen a growing tsunami of inland flooding causing mayhem, trauma and huge costs.
With a muddled patchwork of overlapping responsibilities, the multitude of agencies involved in flooding, 36 in Norfolk alone, responses are fragmented and we fail to capitalise on the wealth of knowledge that organisations like the met office hold in relation to data and mapping. On 2 June in Parliament I will be bringing together MPs, Peers, government representatives and stakeholders to discuss the key elements of a comprehensive package of measures to prevent inland flooding across the UK getting worse every year.
This is a serious national problem that can only be solved locally. That is why I am calling on Ministers to be bold and give local communities the power and funding they need to prevent much higher costs and consequences downstream if we don’t tackle this properly.
Norfolk is one of the driest counties in the country and yet 1000 houses have been flooded. In the past 18 months, 200 have experienced internal floodwater. That did not happen six or seven years ago. This quarter, there were £200 million worth of approved claims, up by £67 million on the previous quarter; pause for a moment to consider the significant economic damage this creates, as well as the considerable emotional stress this causes.
The new government has announced a 50% increase in house building in the district of Breckland which extends across my constituency. This will significantly exacerbate the problem in the coming years unless serious reforms are made.
The time for meaningful action is now—let us grasp this opportunity to reshape our approach to flooding and planning responsibilities before it is too late.
Time to reshape our approach to flooding and planning before it is too late
