07 October 2005
Councils have been attacked by the head of the Environment Agency for continuing to build homes on land at serious risk from flooding.
Tens of thousands of lives are being put at risk, said Lady Young, chief executive of the agency.
'What surprises me is that having consulted the flood risk experts at the agency, local authorities are prepared to put people's property and lives at risk by allowing development on the flood plain,' she said.
Young estimated that in 40% of cases councils were ignoring Whitehall guidance by not even consulting the agency before giving planning permission. She promised to 'name and shame' the worst offenders.
PFoct2005
