§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on farmers access to funding when they present their land for use with flood alleviation. [8538]
§ Mr. MorleyThis Department encourages a strategic approach to management of flood risk through the preparation of Shoreline Management Plans for the coastline and Catchment Flood Management Plans for rivers. These enable the identification of sustainable flood management options, including the possible use of farmland for flood alleviation purposes. In circumstances where quantifiable beneficial use arises, for example acquiring land for the construction or maintenance of defences, payment of compensation is possible. In specified circumstances land may be considered for payment under agri-environment schemes.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress towards flood alleviation in the lower Severn area, with specific reference to the introduction of the new computer model to assess risk. [8535]
§ Mr. MorleyWe understand that the Environment Agency's Severn Estuary computer model is essentially complete, except for verification of results and some refinement to assets options for flood defences at Gloucester. The initial results are confirming the previous understanding of the levels of protection provided by existing defences. The results will be used to develop the Agency's Tidal Severn Strategy and to feed into feasibility studies foe any proposed flood defence works.