One in nine new homes built in England between 2022 and 2024 have been constructed on land at risk from rising water levels, a new report reveals.
Analysis shows that of the 396,602 homes built across the three years, 43,937 are in areas now at medium or high risk of coastal and river flooding caused by heavy rainfall, storm surges and high tides, as well as flash floods.
This proportion – the equivalent of 11 per cent – represents a worrying upward trend of new homes being built in potentially hazardous areas, insurer Aviva said.
Previous figures suggest eight per cent of new homes were built in flood risk zones between 2013 and 2022.
Almost a third of the top constituencies with the highest number of new homes built in medium or high–risk areas are in Greater London and Essex, the figures revealed. However, a spokesman for the government argued the figures ‘do not factor in flood defences.’
‘As our analysis shows, too many new homes have been built in higher risk areas,’ Jason Storah, CEO UK & Ireland General Insurance at Aviva, said.
‘It’s particularly worrying that this trend has risen in recent years, just as house building accelerates.
‘In some areas, it will not be a case of if, but when, a home will flood.’
One in nine new homes built in England between 2022 and 2024 have been constructed on land at risk from rising water levels, a new report reveals. Pictured: flooding at the Gleeson development in Northumberland in 2024
One in nine new homes built in England between 2022 and 2024 have been constructed on land at risk from rising water levels, a new report reveals
The data reveals that in 2024, the constituency with the highest proportion of new build homes at medium or high risk of flooding was Boston and Skegness, in Lincolnshire.
Here, 90.64 per cent of new homes were constructed in areas which had at least a medium flood risk.
Next was Erith and Thamesmead, in Greater London, at 69.32 per cent, and Bristol East with 65.8 per cent.
Aviva predicts that by 2050, one in seven new homes that have recently been built will be at higher risk of flooding as the impacts of extreme weather become more severe.
‘It’s vital that new homes are built in the right places and with resilience in mind to help homeowners get ready for future impacts,’ Mr Storah said.
The analysis also reveals that new homes are likely to face a greater risk of floods in future than existing properties.
Almost a third of new homes built in the last three years will be at some risk of flooding by 2050, which is higher than the projection for existing properties which stands at around a quarter.
Use our interactive map to see your hometown’s current risk of flooding.
Analysis shows that of the 396,602 homes built across the three years, 43,937 are in areas now at medium or high risk of coastal and river flooding caused by heavy rainfall, storm surges and high tides, as well as flash floods. Pictured: a flooded garden of a new build house in Edgehill Park estate in Cumbria
Worcestershire Cricket Ground flooded after Storm Bram. Aviva predict that by 2050, one in seven new homes that have recently been built will be at higher risk of flooding as the impacts of extreme weather become more severe
Mr Storah also warned that new homes are not protected by the ‘Flood Re’ scheme, which was set up to improve the affordability and accessibility of flood insurance to properties in high–risk areas.
‘We believe there should be a presumption against new developments in high–risk areas in the planning rules, alongside mandatory flood resilience measures in building regulations for new homes in areas at risk,’ he added.
‘Building new homes and locating them in lower risk areas are not mutually exclusive objectives.
‘We must do both if we are to deliver sustainable economic growth and get ready for the future.’
After weeks of wet weather which has seen some unlucky parts of the country blighted by over 40 consecutive days of rain, the Environment Agency has warned the public to be ‘vigilant’ over the threat of more flooding to come.
Around 340 properties have suffered flooding in recent weeks, it said, with some areas seeing their wettest January since records began.
Sixty–five flood warnings – meaning flooding is expected – remained in place across England yesterday, largely across Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset, with a further 179 flood alerts covering England and Wales.
Last year, a separate report by Aviva warned that up to eight million properties in towns and cities across England could be plunged underwater by 2050.
As climate change continues to warm the planet, flooding will become more frequent and more severe – especially on the coast and near rivers.
Aviva predicts that the number of properties in England at risk of coastal and river flooding will increase by over 25 per cent between now and 2050, rising from 6.3 million to eight million – putting one in four homes at risk.
That means the majority of properties in some constituencies could be underwater by the midpoint of the century.
Aviva also predicts there will be a sharp increase in the number of properties that could be hit by devastating flash floods caused by periods of intense rainfall.
This is particularly worrying since these floods will hit areas that have not had to deal with flooding in the past.
Commenting on the new data a government spokesman said: ‘These figures are misleading as the research doesn’t even factor in flood defences in place.
‘We will build 1.5 million homes without compromising on safety, and our planning proposals will ensure that development should not go ahead where it would be unsafe due to flood risk.
‘This is alongside investing a record £10.5 billion for flood projects which will benefit nearly 900,000 properties by 2036.’
