LOCAL FLOOD RISK STRATEGY EMYR WILLIAMS PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

LOCAL FLOOD RISK STRATEGY EMYR WILLIAMS PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Flood Risk Management We can only manage flood risk. It is not possible to prevent all flooding even if we had the money. There will always be storm events that exceed the design capacity of any drainage system. We need to work together to find sustainable solutions to local problems

Not just an issue of risk, but one of impact Water level rise Increasing erosion Best estimate based on existing data.

Aim of TAN 15 The general approach is to advise caution in respect of new development in areas at high risk of flooding by setting out a precautionary framework to guide planning decisions. The overarching aim of the precautionary framework is, in order of preference, to: Direct new development away from those areas which are at high risk of flooding. Where development has to be considered in high risk areas (zone C) only those developments which can be justified on the basis of the tests outlined in section 6 and section 7 are located within such areas.

TAN 15 suggests that relevant sustainable development considerations from the flooding perspective include: Guiding development to locations at little or no risk from river, tidal or coastal flooding or from run off Bearing in mind very limited government resources for flood and coastal defence that are directed at reducing risks for existing development not to provide defences in anticipation of future development; Managing the consequences of flooding where development can be justified and the consequences are considered acceptable Making provision for future changes in flood risk, for example taking account of climate change or sea level rise; Considering measures within Catchment Flood Management Plans or Shoreline Management Plans to restore substantial functionality and/or natural heritage benefits of flood plains through the removal of inappropriate existing built development.

Risk Management Authority Functions Pembrokeshire County Council is the Lead Local Flood Authority for its administrative area as well as being the Highways Authority, Coast Protection Authority and Civil Contingencies Authority. Under the Act it has duties including: the preparation of local flood risk management strategies; a duty to comply with the National Strategy; to co operate with other authorities, including sharing data; a duty to investigate all flooding within its area, insofar as a LLFA consider it necessary or appropriate; a duty to maintain a register of structures and features likely to affect flood risk; and a duty to contribute to sustainable development.

Property Owners and Residents It is the responsibility of householders and businesses to look after their home or business, including protecting it from flooding. There will be many occasions when flooding occurs despite all parties meeting their responsibilities. Consequently it is important that householders whose homes are at risk of flooding, take steps to ensure that their house is protected. These steps include: checking whether their household is at risk of flooding from the river, coast or local flood sources ensure that preparations have been made in case a flood occurs taking measures to ensure that their house is protected from flooding, either through permanent or temporary measures taking measures to make sure the house is resilient to flooding so that if internal flooding does occur it does not cause too much damage where possible, take out flood insurance.

Implementation of Measures Pembrokeshire County Council as the LLFA will deliver their flood risk management functions in a manner that: embeds sustainable development as the central organising principle informing decisions and enhancing the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of people and communities, achieving a better quality of life for our own and future generations; is focussed on the needs of individuals, communities and businesses and which recognises that different groups have different needs and varying capacity to deal with flood risk and that the service they receive must be tailored accordingly; supports the wider economic renewal programme, ensuring investment in infrastructure is sustainable from a flood risk perspective and investing in developing the skills required to implement effective and innovative risk management measures;

Implementation of Measures continued promotes equality and does not exacerbate poverty; is based upon a holistic understanding of the risks and consequences; considers the full range of risk management responses including broader potential environmental, economic or social opportunities; contributes to the holistic management of our water, land and marine resources reflecting the ecosystem approach set out in the Natural Environment Framework; facilitates long term resource and investment planning; enables effective prioritisation of investment, resources and actions; maximises opportunities to adapt to climate change; and takes account of the requirement of relevant European and domestic legislation including the Flood Directive, the Water Framework Directive and the Habitats Directive

So where does all that leave Planners? There is a need to try to prevent, as far as possible, inappropriate development Advice is available from officers in each local flood risk authority usually the engineers who deal with flood and coastal defence issues. PLEASE ASK!!!

Any questions?