FLOODING 2007: LESSONS TO BE LEARNT

  1.  The flooding of summer 2007 was caused initially by extremely heavy rain and surface water drainage problems. There is no agency that has overall responsibility in mitigating or dealing with this type of flooding. It would make sense to identify a single agency to have a co- ordinating responsibility.

  2.  The consequences of the co-incidence of this flooding and the publication of the Government's Green Paper about future development plans must be examined. It cannot be sustainable to even consider building on (or near) flood plains without properly addressing the water management issues which have been illustrated by this summer's flooding. At present new development increases rainwater run-off compared to greenfield or even brownfield land and this affects both the immediate environment and also downstream locations.

  3.  This summer's experience has redefined areas liable to flood. The present flood plain maps are not bomb-proof. The "one in a hundred year" rule used by EA to advise on flood risk limitations to development is not a scientific absolute. Local knowledge and experience need to be tapped more effectively as a basis for planning and possible results of climate change given credence in the process.

  4.  Water management requires a whole system view. Rainwater is a resource: becoming more scarce in the most pressurised parts of the country (the south and east). A national water strategy should be developed (the Netherlands offers a useful role model) for the following purposes (and probably others):

—  retain rainwater where it falls by for example, maximising permeable surfaces, run-off retention ponds, swales, rainwater collection and storage from buildings

—  slowing up water drainage and stopping it going to waste for example by sustainable drainage systems for all development including infrastructure such as roads.

—  consider potential ways of storing rainwater for subsequent use (e.g. aquifer re-charge) and/or slow release to the environment

—  devise building regulations that help to safeguard against effects of flooding and maximise economical use of water, rainwater harvesting for local use and realise any opportunities for renewable energy from water power

—  manage rivers and other watercourses so that flash flooding is reduced

—  locate development away from potential flood areas.

  In addition to the negative impact of flooding of properties there are a number of positive environmental opportunities resulting from treating flood plains as an asset: water resource, biodiversity, landscape, agriculture, recreation and tourism advantages can be gained from a rounded thoughtful approach to the water environment.

  Addressing the management of water in this wide-ranging way incorporating broad objectives would also serve the climate change agenda.

  Such a strategy would need to be prepared and implemented through many agencies including Government/DEFRA, Environment Agency, planning authorities at all levels, local authorities, water companies and conservation and environmental bodies.

Jaqui Taylor

August 2007