Making Space for Water
Vision and aim
Vision: the future as a result of this strategy
The concept of sustainable development will be firmly rooted in all flood risk management and coastal erosion decisions and operations. Full account will be taken of the social, environmental and economic pillars of sustainable development, and our arrangements will be transparent enough to allow our customers and stakeholders to perceive that this is the case. Account will also continue to be taken of long-term drivers such as climate change. Decisions will reflect the uncertainty surrounding a number of key drivers and will where appropriate take a precautionary approach. Decisions will be based on the best available evidence and science.
Flood and coastal erosion risk management will be clearly embedded across a range of Government policies, including planning, urban and rural development, agriculture, transport, and nature conservation and conservation of the historic environment. Other relevant Government policies will also be reflected in the policies and operations of flood and coastal erosion risk management. There will be a mix of policies designed to minimise the creation of new risks (by the way development policy is implemented in areas of flood risk), to manage risk and to increase resistance and resilience. There will be a clear understanding and acceptance of the respective roles of the state, central and local government, other organisations and agencies, and of individuals. The public will be more aware of flood and coastal erosion risks and empowered to take suitable action themselves where appropriate.
There will be increased use of co-funding with other bodies and other schemes so as to secure sustainable and cost-effective management of flood and coastal erosion while at the same time securing a greater overall contribution to sustainable development than would have been possible without co-operation. The true costs of providing, and not providing, flood and coastal defences and other measures will be reflected to a greater extent than at present in individual and commercial decision-making. Expenditure will be focused so as to achieve value for money, and will be prioritised to deliver maximum benefits in line with this strategy.
There will be local participation in decision-making, in particular through the preparation of Catchment Flood Management Plans and Shoreline Management Plans, within a context of national standards and nationwide information on flood risks and prioritisation.
There will be a holistic approach to the assessment of options through a strong and continuing commitment to Catchment Flood Management Plans and Shoreline Management Plans, within a broader planning matrix which will include River Basin Management Plans prepared under the Water Framework Directive and Integrated Coastal Zone Management.
There will be transparent and measurable targets and performance indicators, in terms of managing risks to people, property and the environment, to ensure those responsible for delivering the strategy can be held to account. These measures will drive performance forward and enable the identification and dissemination of good practice solutions.
The results of the strategy will be seen on the ground in the form of more flood and coastal erosion solutions working with natural processes. This will be achieved by making more space for water in the environment through, for example, appropriate use of realignment to widen river corridors and areas of inter-tidal habitat, and of multi-functional wetlands that provide wildlife and recreational resource and reduce coastal squeeze on habitats like saltmarsh.
Aim
To manage the risks from flooding and coastal erosion by employing an integrated portfolio of approaches which reflect both national and local priorities, so as:
- to reduce the threat to people and their property; and
- to deliver the greatest environmental, social and economic benefit, consistent with the Government's sustainable development principles.
To secure efficient and reliable funding mechanisms that deliver the levels of investment required to achieve the vision of this strategy.
Page last modified: 8 January 2008
Page
published: 8 January 2008