One in Nine New English Homes Built in Flood Risk Zones, Study Reveals
New data from the insurer Aviva has uncovered that one in nine new homes constructed in England between 2022 and 2024 are located in areas with a medium or high risk of flooding. This alarming trend marks a significant increase from previous years, where one in 13 new homes were built in potential flooding zones between 2013 and 2022.
Rising Numbers and Regional Disparities
According to the analysis, which cross-references Ordnance Survey data with the Environment Agency's flood risk assessments, 43,937 out of 396,602 new homes recorded in England fall into these high-risk categories. Furthermore, 26% of all new homes have some level of flood risk. The research highlights regional variations, with Greater London and Essex having the highest proportion of new at-risk properties at 32%, followed by Lincolnshire, East Yorkshire, and the north-west at 13%. In contrast, the east of England has the lowest proportion at 2%.
Climate Breakdown and Housing Pressures
The findings emerge as the government faces intense pressure to deliver 1.5 million affordable homes during this parliament, a target that experts warn could exacerbate flood risks. Emma Howard Boyd, former chair of the Environment Agency and an advisor to Aviva on climate policy, emphasised the need for coordination between Defra and the Ministry for Housing. "We don’t want to be building today’s houses in places where they will become ever more at risk of flooding," she stated, urging stronger planning regulations to protect future homes.
Insurance Challenges and Future Projections
Aviva's data projects that by 2050, 15% of homes built between 2022 and 2024 will face medium or high flood risk, with 30% experiencing some kind of flood threat due to predicted extreme rainfall from climate breakdown. A critical issue is that homes constructed since 2009 are excluded from the government-backed Flood Re reinsurance scheme, making it harder for residents to obtain affordable flood insurance. Jason Storah, chief executive of UK and Ireland general insurance at Aviva, called for a presumption against new developments in high-risk areas and mandatory flood resilience measures in building regulations.
Government Response and Industry Calls
A government spokesperson disputed the analysis, arguing that it fails to account for existing flood defences and reaffirmed commitments to building 1.5 million homes safely, alongside a record £10.5 billion investment in flood projects. However, Aviva countered that their research does include flood defences. The Association of British Insurers reported a 38% rise in domestic flood claims to £312 million in 2025, with average payouts jumping 60% to £30,000, underscoring the urgent need for action to mitigate flood impacts on communities.
