As the clean up after Storm Ciara begins Jason called for a serious review of planning policies which are increasing the instances of flash floods - we can’t just keep tarmacing and paving over our greenfields!
Transcript Below;
Jason McCartney MP
Thank you Mr Speaker.
Fast-flowing torrents of water, damaged homes and businesses across my constituency over the weekend with communities like Milnsbridge, Linthwaite, Marsden, Slaithwaite, New Mill, Brockholes and many many more really suffering at the hands of Storm Ciara.
Does the Secretary of State agree with me, we must get councils clearing culverts and drains of leaves and clearing them out and also does she agree, when it comes to housing developments we must stop this tarmacing and paving of our green fields which gives no space or no capacity for rain run-off when we have severe storms like these?
Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Well, I want to take the opportunity to express my support and sympathy to all his constituents who have been affected by the very severe weather at the weekend. I would certainly agree that it is important for local authorities to undertake appropriate drain clearance as part of their efforts to mitigate flood risk and I also believe that it is very important for our planning system to recognise the value of maintaining gardens and green spaces, again as part of our overall strategy to prevent flooding and mitigate its impacts.
