Sir – Several recent planning applications have been passed where there is a risk of flooding.

The following is therefore relevant: “House owners who live in areas which have not been flooded before should have recourse to law against incompetent developers or planning authorities, who sought or permitted development in flood risk areas without suitable precautions for properties. Any civil court case action in these cases should favour the plaintiff with compensation and costs.”

This was written by John Kelly, who was emergency planning officer for Oxfordshire from 1992 to 2008.

I also believe developers and planning authorities should be held responsible when houses are built in areas where there are known problems of aircraft noise and pollution from light and aviation fuel.

Helene Nicks, Manor Road, Brize Norton