Some 7,500 new homes are due to be built on a flood plain in Berkshire, according to reports.

New plans submitted by property developer Prupim – owned by Prudential – have revealed that homes could be built in the Kennet Valley after it developed a flood management scheme to protect the new builds.

However, the move has been criticised by some as increasing the risk of homes flooding unnecessarily.

Former Environment Agency head, Ed Gallagher told the BBC: "The proposal to build on the flood plain in the Kennet Valley is a very bad one in my view.

"Not only will it create a huge concrete footprint, which will put lives at risk in the Kennet Valley itself, but also water running off that concrete will flow downstream and put other people at risk as well."

Nevertheless, the developers feel that the development would address the "strong and urgent" need for housing in the Reading area.

It added that the South East Panel supported the plans.