Flood risk strategy review is paused due to legislation

Work to update an action plan to combat flood risk across West Sussex has been paused to take into account new government legislation.

A public consultation held last summer sought opinions on a new Local Flood Risk Management Strategy – a longterm plan on how West Sussex County Council could make communities more resilient to localised flooding primarily from surface water and groundwater sources.

The document set out how WSCC works alongside the Environment Agency, water companies and district and borough councils to reduce flood risk and what each other’s roles and responsibilities are.

But the county council says work on the LFRMS review has been paused, primarily to take account of the Environment Act 2021, which includes a new duty on WSCC to conserve and enhance biodiversity.

Guidance from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the new duty is currently awaited. But in the meantime, work has continued on the LFRMS’ implementation plan for the 25 priority areas at most risk of surface water flooding. The first areas of focus will be Angmering, Billingshurst, Chichester, Hassocks and Littlehampton. Working with partners (including the town or parish council, district councils, the Environment Agency, Southern Water and other groups), studies will be undertaken to: identify causes of local flood risk and key assets at risk of flooding; better understand the flooding mechanisms; and identify feasible and costeffective mitigation measures.