To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on ensuring the safety of new homes built on flood plains in Gravesham. (171091)

Local planning authorities are responsible for assessing planning applications including any flood risk management issues, taking account of advice from the Environment Agency. The Government issued strengthened policy on development and flood risk in December 2006, and an accompanying practice guide is being developed to provide practical guidance on how to take full account of flood risk at all stages of the planning process.