The government changed planning policy in 2006 'to ensure that flood risk is taken into account at all stages in the planning process to avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding, and to direct development away from areas at highest risk".

This new research, however, reveals the thousands of homes already planned in flood risk areas.

New figures released by the government have also revealed that 3,927 households in the region remain displaced following last year's floods.

Seventeen local authorities in the Yorkshire and Humber responded to the Freedom of Information request. A total of 155,665 new homes are planned of which 2,735 are in flood risk areas. The research followed the government's admission, last year, that it "does not collect centrally the number of houses planned for construction on flood plains".

Richard Dodd, northern regional director of the Countryside Alliance, said: "There is no point addressing the problem of affordable housing by building houses that are unsustainable because of flooding.

"Climate change and the increasing frequency of major flooding incidents have led the government to address the risk of flooding for new development through the planning process. This does not, however, address the legacy of development proposed before the new policy.

"The government needs to carry out a full audit of housing proposed for flood risk areas and assess the plans the new policy. Allowing inappropriate development in flood risk areas is wrong whenever the decision was made.

"The alternative is a time-bomb of thousands of un-insurable homes in Yorkshire and the Humber under constant risk of flooding."