Imagine for a moment that a government body has delivered a report which presents, as one of four policy options, the prospect of your house being destroyed as well as your local shops, pub, village and landscape. It could happen within the next decade or so, the experts tell you, or in a century’s time. On the other hand, the disaster could take place within a year. And, no, under present legislation, there would be no compensation.

Read the full article by commentator Terence Blacker on the Independent website