The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has warned that a relaxation of UK planning laws currently under consideration could lead to inappropriate developments in flood-prone areas.

The proposed changes will reduce the current 1000 pages of regulations down to just 52.

ABI Director-General Otto Thoresen told UK media the country’s flood risk is continuing to increase, with one in six homes and more 185,000 businesses now facing rising water levels.

“A further 350,000 properties are likely to be of significant flood risk by 2035,” he said. “The new planning framework must not make an already significant problem even worse.”

He says building developments in high-risk areas will make flood insurance less accessible and more expensive.

The draft planning laws are open for public consultation until October 17.