The Government's Response to Sir Michael Pitt's Review of the summer 2007 floods was published on 17 December 2008. The response sets out what has already been done, and the further actions being taken, to implement each of the Review's recommendations. This includes recommendations 7 and 8 which relate to planning and flood risk. The Government's response can be viewed at:
www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/floods07/Govtresptopitt.pdf
In our response we said we would undertake an initial review of the implementation of PPS25, drawing on information such as the Environment Agency's annual ‘Development and Flood Risk’ reports. This initial review has recently concluded. Communities and Local Government will be writing to local planning authorities to draw their attention to the review's findings and to emphasise the importance the Government places on reducing the risk of flooding to new development. The Department's letter and the findings of the review will be made available on the Department’s website.