Local planning authorities are increasingly heeding priorities set for sustainable development by avoiding building in areas at risk of flooding, according to new figures released from the Environment Agency.

The latest figures show that in cases where the Environment Agency objected on flood risk grounds and where local authorities had advised of the final outcome, 95% were in line with Environment Agency advice - up from 92% in 2004/05.

However, the agency has revealed that some major schemes are still being approved despite its advice to the contrary. Last year, ten major residential schemes were given permission by planning authorities against advice about the threat of flooding. 

Barbara Young, chief executive of the Environment Agency, said: "These figures from our latest report have come at a time of significant change in the way the planning system deals with development and flood risk.”

“Although previous government policy advised that the Environment Agency should be consulted on planning applications in flood risk areas, not all local authorities did so.”

"The risk of flooding is ever present, and with climate change, increasing. We need to make sure homes - particularly for those whom are vulnerable - are built in a safe place, and that people and the environment are protected.”

The Environment Agency’s monitoring of development and flood risk is still impeded because LPAs do not inform the Environment Agency of their decisions in 30% of the cases where an objection was made.

Many developers are still ignoring the requirement for flood risk assessments to accompany planning applications. In addition, the proportion of flood risk assessments submitted, but considered unsatisfactory by the Environment Agency, increased in 2005/06. Unsatisfactory flood risk assessments accounted for 68% of all objections.

Barbara Young continued: “We are very serious about protecting people and homes, and it's still unacceptable that there were 10 major developments permitted against our advice which could put life and property at risk.”

“In the future, we hope the government's new Flooding Direction will further reduce major cases going against our advice. These are all steps in the right direction if developers, planners, local authorities and government are to reduce the amount of new development at risk from flooding or likely to exacerbate flooding elsewhere."