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Representation ID: 21826

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Duncan Watson

Flood risk assessments appear to focus on historic data. We believe that projected increases in the number and severity of flooding events should be considered. The effects of Climate Change have a direct statistical impact on potential flooding events in terms of regularity and severity. We recommend that independent academic science be used as a resource to estimate projected impact on proposed development sites. We observe that recent developments in Bradford District, close to rivers have experienced property damaging floods in recent times. This begs the question - are the current limitations on development on land prone to flooding sufficient? We believe that the barriers to development on sites with a high flood risk, should be strengthened. We also suggest that the impact of flooding on settlements downstream from close-to-river sites be raised in priority for assessment. This includes the effect on settlements in neighbouring districts/ authorities.