UK: CIWEM calls for stronger planning guidelines for flood plains (18/11/08)
The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) has called for stronger, updated planning policies and guidance to include a presumption against development in designated ‘blue belt’ areas, which define significant flood plains, as well as designated ‘yellow belt’ areas that suffer coastal erosion.
The environmental institution has also called for national-level authorities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to oversee all types of flood and coastal erosion risk management, working closely with local delivery organisations.
Its statement notes: ‘CIWEM believes that the Government needs to consider relocation very seriously in areas where flood risk management is no longer sustainable and where land is protected, it must be done with an understanding of the natural environmental, hydrological and geomorphological processes. Regulating authorities must have greater powers to control third party actions that are detrimental to flood and coastal erosion risk management.’
CIWEM executive director Nick Reeves says: ‘Action is required to safeguard human life and reduce economic losses to the UK and individuals.
‘The true social, environmental and economic costs must be recognised, and proper planning policies put into place to create sustainable flood and coastal erosion management.’
Lis Stedman
