FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT POLICY IN ENGLAND AND WALES

There is evidence of substantial floodplain development in England and Wales, An 'escalator effect' is observed whereby progressively higher levels of flood defence are provided to protect against progressively increasing flood damage potential, caused mainly by post-defence development, The efficacy of current flood defence and floodplain planning policy is questioned, Planning influences floodplain development rather than prevents it, Wider planning constraints divert development towards floodplains to avoid other environmental problems, Floodplain development decisions should be taken in the context of the wider benefits of such development, as well as the natural and cultural functions of floodplains.