Give Council powers to halt flooding
June 2025
Flooding - whether river, surface water or drainage from sewers, may not be at the forefront of everyone’s mind after one of the driest spring’s on record. But, with a potential change in Government legislation – and given the history and the time it takes for changes to become effective, now is not the time to forget flood prevention.
I was the District Councillor when, in 1998, the flood defences failed on one side of Alcester. Post flood the defences were restored but only to the original 1960’s levels.
In 2007, historic levels of rainfall saw flood defences breached on the other side of Alcester. Flooding caused by inadequate storm water and sewer drainage pipes has also occurred requiring the building of flood attenuation measures.
Across the District, other communities have also suffered severe river flooding. Several communities continue to suffer surface water and drainage flooding long after developments are completed.
I made representations to the Pitt Review after the 1998 flooding. to a Government Select Committee in 2007 and the Environment Agency; so, I was pleased when the Flood and Water Management Act was proposed in 2010. Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act would have made sustainable drainage systems a legal requirement for new developments with guidance on planning, design and maintenance of sustainable drainage systems.
However, in 2014, the then Government decided not to implement Schedule 3. Since this approach clearly has not worked, the current Government is reconsidering this bit of legislation again.
I would welcome local councils being given more responsibility (and accountability) to ensure new developments have drainage systems in place that are fit for purpose - along with a system of approval, inspection and enforcement of drainage conditions.
We also need a wider review and implementation of natural flood management, a review of old drainage systems and of flood defences built in past decades.
Climate Change will bring increased severity of flooding events with enormous economic costs. Local authorities must use their legal and planning responsibilities, local knowledge and their ability to coordinate responses with partner agencies to full effect. Collaboration is key; everyone involved needs to work together and take a holistic approach to flood prevention. Change is long overdue.
