LABOUR backed calls from the head of the Environment Agency today to restrict housebuilding on floodplains.

The agency’s chief executive Sir James Bevan said that new homes should not be built on floodplains in England after storms Ciara and Dennis caused severe damage this month.

He insisted that where there was no alternative, homes should be made flood-proof, such as by using ground floors for garages only.

Mr Bevan spoke as two severe flood warnings were in place for Shrewsbury and Ironbridge with the River Severn set to reach its highest-ever level as a result of heavy rainfall.

Asked whether residents could be evacuated, Mr Bevan told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that “almost all” of them can remain but that their flood defences should be improved.

In response to his comments, Labour’s shadow housing secretary John Healey said: “Inappropriate building on flood plains must stop.

“The government should act now to give councils and the Environment Agency funding and powers to stop unsuitable development and to insist on flood resistant design in all areas at risk of flooding.”

He added that it was right for Mr Bevan to speak out “in the absence of any leadership from the Prime Minister.”

PM Boris Johnson has avoided visiting flood-hit parts of the country despite doing so during the general election campaign at the end of last year.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused him of showing his “true colours” by so far refusing to visit the areas affected.

Downing Street has claimed that Mr Johnson’s failure to visit affected communities recently was because he did not want to “distract” from recovery efforts.