A report in the Guardian today states that 1 in 9 new homes built in 2022-24 were susceptable to flooding, up from 1 in 13 in the previous 10 years. What a shock – not! Fitsly the reason it has not been on in the last 500 years is often flooding. The cramped buildings and roads also result in less infiltration and thus more flooding, and this impact can exaserbate other areas even if the new builds themselves are immune. A government spokesperson reacted by stating that £10.5billion had been spent on flood prevention and the figures were therefore false. Intensive agriculture has also not helped. AND another thing, buildings are going up all over = less wildlife and wetland habitats. Otters do not vote Labour (actually few people do!), trashing environments for housing is a blatant polluting of the land. I realise the housing market is totally fucked. Tory policies of allowing migration since Brexit disaster has made a bad problem worse. Thatcher’s right to buy policy started the disaster and the free market and bozo developers have created suburban ghetto’s with few if any facilities, rare bus services and a desecrated landscape.
Back to flooding – it is not a hidden fact that the climate is changing – even most climate deniers recognise this -bthey just refuse to acknowledge the scientific facts of the causes. So a new approach is necessary – Building sub-standard detached houses on every space available – High Streets could be revitalised with the addition of accomodation above shops and maybe up to 5 stories of flats. Cheaper housing could be offered with shared facilities like kitchens and gardens, using vertical space in inner city areas would reduce the need for cars and the “15 minute city” could become a reality for many. So government – for fucks sake get to grips with the 21st Century.