Officials in my Department have ongoing discussions with a large number of bodies including representatives from local authorities, product manufacturers and the development and insurance industries on this and other issues relating to the building regulations.
Sir Michael Pitt’s review of the summer 2007 floods recommended that
“Building Regulations should be revised to ensure that all new or refurbished buildings in high flood-risk areas are flood resistant or resilient”.
The Government’s response, published in December last year, indicated the Government’s support for this recommendation.
Parts A and C of the building regulations, and the associated guidance, address the requirements on structure and on resistance to contaminants and water (but not currently flooding) that have to be satisfied by most new and refurbished buildings. The Government are currently considering these requirements and how best ‘flood performance’ could be included within amended building regulations. We plan to consult on this in the summer.