A study has indicated that one in nine new homes built in England between 2022 and 2024 are situated in areas that are likely to experience flooding, suggesting an alarming trend in the housing sector. Data from the Ordnance Survey shows that out of 396,602 new homes, approximately 43,937 are in medium to high flood risk areas, with over a quarter of these homes facing some level of flooding risk. This increase in construction within vulnerable zones raises serious questions about environmental safety and urban planning.

The rising number of homes in flood-prone areas coincides with significant political pressure on the government to meet its target of delivering 1.5 million new homes during its current term. Previous studies highlighted a less severe trend, reporting that from 2013 to 2022, only one in 13 new homes was situated in at-risk zones. The escalating demands for affordable housing amid a rapidly changing climate create a challenging balancing act for policymakers and builders, complicating efforts to address both housing needs and climate resilience.

Experts, such as former Environment Agency chair Emma Howard Boyd, have expressed concerns that the urgency to meet housing targets could lead to inadequate consideration of flooding risks, potentially endangering residents and infrastructure. As climate change continues to pose increasing threats, including more frequent and severe weather events, the implications of this trend could have long-term consequences for property safety, insurance viability, and community planning across England.