At a conference in London Peter Faulkner, president of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), said the present system was too slow, too complex and failing to deliver. "Global warming, with warmer, wetter winters leading to serious flooding is now a reality. But the present system prevents the rapid response needed to put in place measures to deal with repeated flooding. The planning system is not sufficiently flexible or quick enough to stop building on run-off areas or flood plains, which adds to the problem by sending floodwater elsewhere.
"Who do you turn to when the water is running down your high street?
There are eight separate sets of legislation dealing with flood and coastal defences, 254 individual bodies, plus local authorities, all coupled to an incredibly complex and detailed funding system.
"With over 1.5 million homes and commercial business properties with a value in excess of £200 billion, and 13 million hectares of farmland worth £7 billion at risk, a system that is capable of making and implementing rapid decisions is urgently needed.
"The recent government proposals to tax flood victims does not address the wider issues of prevention and control. It will almost certainly lead to ‘flood blight’ for properties in certain areas, even those not affected by water, resulting in increased insurance premiums, and in many cases a reduction in the value of the property."
