NEW NATIONAL STRATEGY WILL WARN AGAINST ‘POOR DEVELOPMENT DECISIONS’
STRICTER planning curbs are likely along the Welsh coastline to prevent properties being built in areas likely to be affected by sea level rises.
Similar restrictions will be imposed on flood plains and areas at risk from high river flows.
A draft flood and coastal erosion strategy warns that action is needed so that Wales does not “store up problems for future generations”.
Currently more than 245,000 properties are at risk from river, sea and surface water flooding, while coastal erosion threatens almost 400 properties.
These threats are expected to increase as the climate changes, with more frequent storms, bigger surges and rising sea levels.
Annual damage to homes in Wales is projected to rise by up to 110% in the 2050s and up to 220% in the 2080s depending on climate scenarios.
A National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management in Wales, expected to be published this spring, will warn against “poor development decisions” that could put more people at risk in the future.
As a result, new flood risk data will be incorporated into the Welsh Government’s TAN 15 planning document, currently being updated.
TAN 15, as proposed, will include a new Wales Flood Map, due out in April, that will show areas at high or medium risk.
Very low risk areas: All new developments will be permitted. risk, low risk and very low
Low risk areas: All new buildings must meet strict criteria and require Flood Consequences Assessments (FCA).
High or medium risk areas: No new homes will be allowed. Other types of development must meet strict criteria and undertake FCAs.
Not just homes are vulnerable climate-induced flooding.
Some 14 railway stations in Wales have a one in 75 chance of annual flooding, along with 15 electricity sub-stations, 25 mobile phone masts and 132km of railway line and trunk roads.
Moreover, 10 hospitals and 45 care homes currently have a 1-in-200 chance of flooding in any given year.
The National Strategy warns that “difficult decisions” will need to be made as to where future flood defence investment is made.
Since 2011 the Welsh Government has invested £53m a year on flood management, with an extra £150m made available for 2019-2022.
But Huw Williams, head of Gwynedd Council’s consultancy division, said greater urgency was needed across all level of government.
More than 20 coastal communities in the county have been identified for “managed realignment”.
In contrast the whole Fairbourne section of coast will have no “active intervention” by mid-century.
“I’m not sure all politicians have caught up with the reality of the situation,” he said. to