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Benn announces demonstration scheme for landowners to reduce flooding

   

NEWS RELEASE

Ref: 211/08
Date: 4 July 2008

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn today announced £500,000 to fund up to two pilot projects that will explore how land management can reduce the risk of flooding. 

Land management practices can play a vital role in managing flood risk at a local level.  For example, the creation and restoration of wetlands and woodlands can reduce the level of flooding, and in some cases remove the risk of local flooding altogether. 

These practices also produce wider environmental benefits at a local level, including encouraging an increase in wildlife species and habitats, reducing carbon emissions and improving water quality.

Announcing the funding at the Royal Show in Warwickshire, Hilary Benn said:

“Last summer we saw the huge devastation that flooding can cause and even small events can cause huge disruption to people’s lives and livelihoods.  Sir Michael Pitt’s recent report on the floods highlighted how traditional flood defences are not always appropriate or cost effective, so we must generate a range of sustainable approaches to protect people and property.

“That’s why I am inviting landowning organisations to propose practical projects under this demonstration scheme. They are best placed to help us understand how it can be used to reduce flood risk.  

“We can never fully eliminate the risk of flooding, but we are working to ensure that we are better prepared to deal with future events.  This initiative will not only improve our knowledge about how we can best deal with flooding, it will also help look at how we can improve our biodiversity at a local level at the same time.”

Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England said:

"Any long-term approach to flood risk management must include the vital role played by the natural environment. This new project will aim to demonstrate that we can help to dramatically decrease the risk of flooding in England through improved land management practices. By increasing the natural capacity of our environment to absorb and hold excess water, we can help to reduce the effects of excess rainfall. In addition to reducing flood risk this will have huge benefits for biodiversity and carbon storage."

Notes to Editors

1. Landowners with the capacity to deliver a suitable land management project that fits the criteria are invited to come forward with project proposals by 29 August 2008.  Outline proposals will be assessed and one or two projects selected for a more detailed feasibility study before the funding is committed. Successful applicants will be allocated funding from the £500,000 total.  Assistance may be made available to promising projects to develop the feasibility study. 

2. Successful applicants will be contacted by 30 September 2008 to confirm whether Defra will support the development of a more detailed business case with a view to making an announcement on the prefer project(s) early in 2009.

3. Projects must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

  • There is a specific and well documented flood management issue that could be alleviated by changes in land management
  • The scheme will produce other benefits, such as (but not limited to) biodiversity, carbon sequestration or water quality
  • The lead organisation is able to secure the land management changes necessary to delivery the flood management benefits
  • Funding from Defra’s flood management programme will be supplemented by contributions from other sources, recognising multiple benefits anticipated
  • The benefits of the project will be measured and reported in accordance with an agreement between Defra and the lead organisation

4. Eligible organisations or partnerships:

  • Any organisation or partnership which considers that it has the capacity to deliver the proposed project may apply.
  • Partnerships may include public bodies and groups of individuals.
  • Partnerships should identify a lead organisation which would be responsible for delivering the project.

5. Further examples of land management practices include planting woodlands strategically on a flood plain to slow down floodwater, changing the way the land is farmed; or restoring wetland habitats.             

6. These projects will work in tandem with existing agri-environment schemes within the Environmental Stewardship programme. Schemes within the programme are completely voluntary ‘green farming’ schemes which work by providing Government-funded financial support to farmers to manage and conserve their land with a focus on environmentally friendly, sustainable methods – such as creating habitats for wildlife and restoring landscape features.  The scheme is managed by Natural England, a Defra agency.  For more information please go to: www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/es/default.htm

7. This project will draw experience from and share lessons with the Defra-funded England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative, which is delivered  through the Environment Agency and Natural England partnership www.defra.gov.uk/farm/environment/water/csf

8. Defra is working on the production of a full response to Pitt that includes an action plan, in the Autumn.  For more information please follow the link to Hilary Benn’s oral statement in response to Sir Michael Pitt’s final report on the Summer floods: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/ministers/statements/default.asp

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Page published: 4 July 2008