Insurance ban for flood-risk homes

Quotes from Observer, 2 December 2007, main section page 16:

"Homes built on flood plains against official advice should be refused insurance to stamp out the threat of millions more flats and houses being erected in high-risk areas, according to Britain's Environment Agency." [Seaton's regeneration area is being allowed to have homes on its flood plain because the Environment Agency thinks a big monsoon drain down the middle of it will make it - and the area around it - safe enough, but see below].

It goes on to say:

"In a separate report, to be published this week, officials warn that they are currently unable to provide meaningful warnings for imminent surface water or sewer flooding - the problem which caused much of this summer's chaos. With weather forecasters predicting an increase in river, sea and drainage flooding resulting from climate change the EA's Chief Executive, Baroness Young, has called on the insurance industry to refuse to insure new properties where planners have given the go-ahead against the agency's advice [Seaton's is with the Agency's advice but recall that the developers themselves say that, in times of extreme weather, the plateau will be a self-contained island and should have two sea tractors or two shallow draught boats and emergency first aid, to enable evacuation of the site].

Baroness Young goes on to say that many properties flooded this summer were built on flood plains in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

Do you think the Environment Agency gave the go ahead for those projects at the time?

Buy on a plateau - safe from flooding (perhaps) but not safe from back flow of sewerage or being cut off! And check your insurance situation first!