SIR,

Stephen Clarke does well to raise the issue of

housing insurance premiums, but any new houses may

well not get any insurance cover at all, so take note any

prospective buyers for the St Vincent Drive housing push,

and the proposed Wonastow development.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) have an

agreement at present with the Government that they will

continue to provide cover, and not withdraw, as long as

certain conditions are met.

Namely, they expect action to reduce flood risk in

areas of significant risk, but reserve the right to withdraw

if development in one area will impact upon other at-risk

areas of housing.

This is known as the Statement of Principles.

Furthermore, and this is where it gets even more

interesting, it is my understanding that this agreement to

provide cover runs out in 2013.

And in the meantime, it is not applicable to any new

housing built after April 2009, for which insurance cover

against flooding can be withheld.

So buy a new house, but don't expect it to be

insurable.

I would very much welcome further informed views

on this subject through the Beacon; county councillors;

local experts in housing, planning and insurance; and our

own influential voices, Mr Davies and Mr Ramsay.

I hope the latter would be able to shed light on this

matter, and reassure local householders who will suffer

from the impact of further flood zone development.

Michael Jones

(Stop Monmouth Drowning)