HL Deb 09 July 1999 vol 603 cc128-30WA
Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the "mapping of the flood plain for every water course" (Environment Agency Action Plan for Flood Forecasting, Warning and Response, progress report March 1999) will include river tributaries not hitherto the responsibility of the National Rivers Authority or the Environment Agency. [HL3427]

Lord Donoughue

The Environment Agency's March 1999 progress report identified that mapping of the flood plain for every watercourse in England and Wales was taking place to a consistent standard. The maps will show the flood plains for all watercourses with a catchment area of greater than 50km2 whether or not these are designated as "main rivers". The maps will include some river tributaries not previously mapped by the Agency. The Agency's Easter Floods Action Plan requires such maps to be produced for local authorities by September 1999.

Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any progress has been made in strengthening the system of objecting to inappropriate development in flood risk areas. [HL3428]

Lord Donoughue

Officials in MATT', DETR and the Environment Agency have agreed that Circular 30/92 on Development and Flood Risk should be reviewed. Proposals have yet to be developed but it is anticipated that a consultation draft will be available before the end of this year.

Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has introduced mechanisms to monitor decisions made by local planning authorities where the agency has objected to planning applications on the grounds that the proposed development would increase flood risks. The results will be reported to the Ministry, DETR and Regional Flood Defence Committees. The agency has also introduced additional internal guidance to help staff in providing a consistent approach when commenting on planning applications.

Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the development of a standard approach for archiving information on extreme floods is still on target. [HL3429]

Lord Donoughue

The Environment Agency work in developing a standard approach for archiving information on extreme floods remains on target for completion in September 1999. The approach comprises two elements, a standard flood event questionnaire to assemble data and a computerised storage archive and retrieval system to handle the data.

Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What strategy they have for dealing with floods caused by tributaries outside the Environment Agency remit which flow into rivers and streams within the Environment Agency's remit; and in particular how any such strategy has been implemented in and around Rugby. [HL3430]

Lord Donoughue

As part of its general supervisory duty for all matters relating to flood defence, the Environment Agency, in partnership with local authorities and internal drainage boards, is in the process of identifying "critical" ordinary watercourses. These are watercourses which, while not classified as "main river", have the potential to put large numbers of people and property at risk from flooding.

In common with other local authorities, Rugby Borough Council has been asked by the Agency to indicate known flooding problems in the Borough and also to identify and assess the condition of significant flood defences on ordinary watercourses. This information will be used to determine existing, standards of service as well as helping to define future strategies with the council.