Government plans for climate change flooding
The Environment Minister, Elliot Morely, has published a consultation paper setting out Government plans to tackle flooding and coastal erosion.
The proposals, looking out over a 20-year period, take particular account of predictions that the frequency and severity of floods will increase due to climate change.
In April this year the Office of Science and Technology published the Foresight Future Flooding report, in which it warned that the cost of damage from flooding and coastal erosion could increase 20 fold over the next century if action is not taken on global warming and flood defences.
Today’s consultation paper from the Government is its response to this scenario.
Mr Morley said: “Climate change means we may well see more and worse flooding in the future.
“We must factor in and plan for this across the board, working closely with the insurance industry and other interested parties, so that the adverse consequences for people and for business are minimised.”
Suggestions mooted in today’s paper include the familiar policy of maintaining and improving sea and river walls, as well more radical approaches including creasing salt marsh buffer zones in costal areas and using minor roads as flood channels in extreme circumstances.
Government funding for flood protection is set to rise to £564 million a year between 2005 and 2008.
This consultation process will close in November, with a final strategy expected in early 2005. Key stakeholders being consulted include local authorities, insurers, environmentalists and house building groups.
One key area to be looked at will be the flood risk to new housing. The Government is committed to building new houses in southern England and aims to ensure that measures are put in place to reduce flood risk, though it notes: “It is not appropriate to prevent all new developments in the mapped areas of flood risk. About ten per cent of England – by land area, population and housing stock – is already within those areas.”
In a parallel move the Office for the Deputy Prime Minister will conduct a review of development and flood risk. Keith Hill, Minister for Planning, said that “much of relevance” has happened since its publication of planning guidance (PPG 25). He said: ” This review will take account of scientific and other developments over that time and the views of stakeholders. We shall examine the new information that is now available and ask stakeholders to let us know their views on the clarity, implementation and effectiveness of PPG 25.”
