Mid-Bedfordshire MP Blake Stephenson (Conservative) has had his bill to combat flooding pass its first reading in the House of Commons.
Flooding caused extensive damage in September 2024 across Bedfordshire, leading Blake to propose new legislation. On Tuesday, 24 June, he addressed the Government to highlight that towns and villages needed protection from future devastation.
The bill would give councils powers to reject future planning applications from developers if they have previously failed to deliver or maintain sustainable drainage systems.
It would then require the Secretary of State to publish definitive guidance on the minimum expected standards for the drainage systems to developers.
Also, one of the lead local flood authorities, the Environment Agency or the Internal Drainage Board (IDB), could presume that development would increase flood risk for existing properties.
“Since the devastating flooding… I’ve been listening to local people, speaking to local authorities and scrutinizing Government plans, and it’s alarmingly clear that more needs to be done,” said Blake
“I know it won’t fix every problem and there is still much more to do… I hope it will continue to have backing of other MPs”
Back in April, Stephenson debated the issue of flooding, arguing Labour’s plans to build 1.5 million homes in the area over the next Parliament could lead to a new wave of poorly planned developments unless more is done to prioritise infrastructure and community.
Read: Wixams GP delay and Maulden flood fears highlight need for planning overhaul, says MP
In March, it was announced that four flood risk schemes in Bedfordshire would be among dozens across the East of England set to benefit from a £68 million government funding package to protect communities from flooding.
The projects, confirmed by the Environment Agency, form part of the government’s £2.65 billion national investment in flood resilience and are expected to protect more than 6,000 properties across the region this year.
Read: New flood defence funding to protect Bedfordshire homes, businesses and infrastructure
You can see the reading of Stephson’s bill here.
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