MPs to debate planning bill to protect UK homes from surface flooding

Government faces a possible defeat over proposal to require all new houses to have sustainable drainage to prevent surface flooding and sewer overflows

Moves to protect more households from the threats of surface flooding and sewer overload will be debated in parliament on Monday, with the government facing possible defeat in a key vote.

Surface flooding is a growing problem, with at least 20,000 sewer overflows occurring in the UK a year. It is caused by the overloading of Britain's antiquated sewer and drainage networks, and the concreting over of large swaths of land which leaves water with nowhere to be absorbed.