ONCE again the problems of flooding are apparent to us all.

I am now retired, but ever since I was a child the question of how to handle flooding has been news. Locally, I can remember Lewes, Uckfield and other places being affected in 1960 and several times since.

This is a problem which affects virtually all areas of the country.

Whatever the causes, man made or natural, the problem will not go away.

Flood prevention schemes are at best limited and highly expensive.

In addition, if floodwater is diverted it has to go somewhere else. This means another area is hit.

It is now probably necessary to abandon areas prone to flood damage.

Sadly, recent development has taken place in vulnerable areas which have added to the problem.

Rather than spend vast and ever increasing sums on flood defence I believe it would make sense to use the cash to relocate homes and other buildings to safe areas.

This country has a serious housing shortage and this solution would add to the number of new homes needed. But we cannot argue with nature.

I have no doubt, that the “Green lobby” will be furious with the idea of developing so-called green sites. But the areas abandoned would be returned to nature.

Richard J Szypulski, Lavender Street, Brighton