theguardian.com
Houses can be built on floodplains despite failing safety test, says high court
Decision to allow development of 190 new homes in north Somerset sparks campaign for change in the law
Houses can be built on floodplains even if they fail a crucial safety test, according to a high court judgment that will be of “immense interest” to developers across England and Wales.
The ruling clears the way for a highly controversial development of 190 new homes on north Somerset’s floodplains, despite the site being in “flood zone 3a”, the highest level of flood risk before land is considered a functional floodplain. Continue reading...
![A news article screenshot from ITV News Meridian featuring the ITVX logo at the top. The headline reads: "Dorset boy aged 6 among rising number of young people suffering strokes." The article is categorized under Meridian | Health | Stroke and is timestamped Monday 28 September 2026 at 6:49pm. [1]
Below the text is a photograph of a young boy with light hair lying in a hospital bed. He has medical tape around his head, heart monitoring electrodes attached to his bare chest, a bandage on his left forearm, and a medical wrap on his left hand. He is asleep or resting with his eyes closed. Resting beside him under a tan blanket is a plush toy of the character Steve from the game Minecraft.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cyy3irakdgdbhcdtd4ik6aro/bafkreihyyodck77bfwzo65updfe2nh34iwomd4wxvaggejnjeij5td4v6e)
