Recent fl ooding in the United Kingdom has resulted in a backlash
against building activities taking place on fl oodplains, with further concerns
being expressed that insurers may withhold fl ood damage cover from properties
in areas which carry a fl ood risk. Given the high demand for new homes and a
lack of alternative building land, a prohibition of building on fl oodplain land is
unsustainable. The authors propose a proactive regime of site investigation, risk
analysis and risk management before developing fl oodplain sites. This regime
will comply with government guidelines published in PPS25, which deals with
‘ Development and Flood Risk ’ . It is accepted that perceived risk levels on certain
sites may be deemed too high, even after proactive management action has
been deployed to appease the insurers. The authors seek to consider alternative
property designs, which can accommodate rising fl ood waters and reduce damage
costs to minimal acceptable levels, in all but the most extreme of fl ood conditions.
The paper contains examples and evaluation of fl ood-resistant technology;
this is undertaken in order to establish whether an alternative strategy to the
abandonment of development proposals is a practical viable proposition within
the United Kingdom.

• A practical approach to development of housing on fl oodplain land in the UK