As the rain continues and flooding becomes a serious issue once again, the Government has issued its interim report on the serious floods in the summer of 2007.

Sir Michael Pitt’s report was published in December 2007 with the following objectives:

• To identify issues that require urgent action.

• To set the direction for the remainder of the Review.

• To provide a document for consultation before the final report is published in summer 2008.

On 17 December 2007, the Secretary of State for the Environment, on behalf of the Government, accepted the urgent recommendations in the interim report, and pledged to work with all relevant organisations to implement them. These recommendations include improving an understanding of surface water flooding and areas most at risk from it. Surface water flooding (caused by sudden heavy rainfall, which cannot drain away adequately) was one of the main contributions to the 2007 flooding.

The report identifies a significant number of other findings, many of which are likely to be acted on in the coming months. These include a requirement for planning permission requirements to be applied rigorously to ensure that the risk of flooding, from all sources, is adequately considered before planning permission is given for development. It also includes restrictions on permitted development that allows land to be covered with impermeable surfaces (such as patios, driveways and garden sheds) that contribute to the problems caused by surface water.

Developers are likely to find it more difficult to get planning permission especially in areas with a flood risk. The Review committee will monitor work against the urgent recommendations and intends to publish commentary on progress at the end of March 2008.

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