In a recent issue of The Journal there appeared an interesting article, entitled "The Rise of the Flood", examining the problems faced by the insurance industry.
However, one of the biggest problems is not mentioned, namely the planning permissions given by local authorities for building new housing on flood plains and other high-flood-risk areas.
In Cranleigh, Surrey, all of our flood plains are being built on, despite warnings from the local people. This includes 54 dwellings on
the lowest flood plain and one that was completely flooded as recently as December 2013.
After 56 years in insurance, I believe it is my moral and professional obligation to let insurers know what is going on in council chambers, in the race to meet housing number targets.
I believe readers of The Journal will be shocked, with wrongful decisions being made that will have long-term consequences for both insurers and the poor people who buy these high-flood-risk houses.
Regards,
Richard Bryant FCII