Figures obtained by the Countryside Alliance have revealed that almost 7,500 new homes are to be built in flood risk areas across the North East – with 2,110 of them in and around Hartlepool.

Because of constant climate change and the increasing frequency of major flooding, the Government recently changed its planning policy to ensure that flood risk is taken into account at all stages in the planning process to avoid inappropriate development.

The figures were obtained by the Alliance under the Freedom of Information Act, which fears that some local authorities could ignore the risk to ensure it meets affordable housing quotas.

Hartlepool Council has urged residents not to be alarmed by the claims, though 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.

"The Government needs to carry out a full audit of housing proposed for flood risk areas.

"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 the North East under constant risk of flooding."

The Alliance said Victoria Harbour was one of the main areas that could be developed, and which could be at risk due to its close proximity to the sea.

Other areas in the town that could be at risk are also to be developed to ensure Hartlepool can cope with demand for homes in the near future, but further details have yet to be clarified.

A council spokesman said: "There is no need for people to be alarmed by this.

"Hartlepool is no different to many other towns and cities in that it has some low lying areas.

"Before any future developments take place in Hartlepool, people can be reassured that there are robust systems to ensure that appropriate measures will be put in place to protect residents against the risks of flooding."

He added that residents could be assured that any future housing would need to be sanctioned by the Environment Agency with regard to flooding issues.

Meanwhile work on a £1m plan to combat flooding in the area is set to start in June.

An underground storage tank will cover the Stanmore Grove and Glentower Grove area of Seaton Carew. The £900,000 Northumbrian Water scheme received the go-ahead from Hartlepool Borough Council, and involves an underground tank, pumps, a control kiosk, vent stack and fencing installed.

A spokeswoman for Northumbrian Water said: "Northumbrian Water appreciates flooding is distressing for customers. To reduce the risk of flooding, we are investing £900,000 to upgrade the sewerage network in the Glentower Grove area."