Environment minister Eliot Morley is considering introducing a tax on developers who build on flood plains as the government continues to look for ways of raising additional money for flood and coastal defence.<p></p><p> Housebuilders have reacted strongly to the proposal. HBF spokesman Pierre Williams said: &amp;“Developers already pay for flood defences through s106 agreements. Any such charge would further reduce the viability of many sites - especially brownfield.&amp;” Williams also criticised the government for launching the Communities Plan on the strength of more public funding while proposing to claw some of this money back just a month later. </p><p> The proposal to tax developers comes as part of a huge shake up in flood defence policies which sees the Environment Agency take responsibility from local authorities and local drainage boards for all rivers that pose a risk. The agency will receive a grant for flood defence instead of relying on contributions from local authorities which can be difficult to obtain.</p><p> Morley said: &amp;“The system at the moment is too fragmented. Giving the Environment Agency sole operational responsibility for all rivers presenting the greatest flood risk, with the advantage of a block grant from Defra, should help the cogs turn more …