A guide aiming to reduce damage to new buildings in areas at risk from flooding has been published today.

Communities and Local Government, the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency set out ways in which structures should be designed and constructed so as to keep people safe and lessen financial impact when floods occur.

The report recognises that while planning policy aims to direct development away from flood risk areas, some building in such areas is necessary in order to maintain existing services and communities.

Lords minister for planning, Baroness Andrews said: "There is a clear need for housing and supportive infrastructure across the country and with limited space to do this, it will not always be possible to build away from flood risk areas.

"Around ten per cent of England’s housing stock and population is already in flood risk areas and the sustainability of these communities must continue," she added.

Climate experts say global warming could mean an increase in occurrences of flooding due to milder, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers.