There is no reason not to build houses and businesses on Europe’s lowest area of land despite climate change and the expected rise in sea levels, according to a report to be presented on Thursday, reports news agency ANP.

The area known as the Zuidplas polder lies 6.75 meters below sea level.
Rotterdam, Zoetermeer and Gouda councils which surround it and the province of South Holland plan to build 7,000 houses in the area between 2010 and 2020. They also want to build offices and greenhouses.
ANP does not say who carried out the research, but the report states that fears the polder will fill up like a bath tub because of climate change are unfounded.