Local Flood Risk Management Strategy April 2013old.wrexham.gov.uk/assets/pdfs/emergencies/lfrm/wrexham_lfrms.pdf · from the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and Flood Risk Regulations

1

Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

April 2013

Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Wrexham County Borough Council

Document Control Sheet

Document Author: Charlotte Beattie Line Manager: Phil Harrison

Revision History

Date Version No Summary of Changes 22.10.12 2.2 General amendments and grammar 1.11.12 2.3 Final version 7.1.13 3.0 Final version following Consultation

18.4.13 3.1 Welsh Government Minor Amendments

Approvals

Approved by Signature Date Version Charlotte Beattie 16.1.13 3.0

Charlotte Beattie 18.4.13 3.1

Distribution: Publication

Name Title Date Version Cadw; John Berry 18.4.13 3.1 Countryside Council for Wales

Theresa Kudelska 18.4.13 3.1

Environment Agency Wales

Keith Ivens Linda Thomas

18.4.13 3.1

Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust

Mark Walters 18.4.13 3.1

English Heritage; Judith Nelson 18.4.13 3.1 Natural England; General Consultations 18.4.13 3.1 Welsh Water Dwr Cymru Dominic Scott and Gemma

Roberts 18.4.13 3.1

Dee Valley Water Morgan Thomas 18.4.13 3.1 Wales and West Stephen Magee 18.4.13 3.1 Scottish Power Linda Lewis 18.4.13 3.1 Severn Trent Tim Smith 18.4.13 3.1 Strategic Flood Group for Wrexham CBC

18.4.13 3.1

Trunk Road Agency David Cooil 18.4.13 3.1 The five adjoining local authorities of Cheshire West and Chester; Powys, Shropshire, Denbighshire and Flintshire;

Sandra Carlisle Graham Astley Wayne Hope, Neil Parry, [email protected]

18.4.13 3.1

Canal and River Trust (Formerly British Waterways);

Alison Truman and Lucas Brown 18.4.13 3.1

April 2013 Version 3.1 2


Forestry Commission; [email protected] 18.4.13 3.1

Lead Local Member; Cllr Mark Pritchard 18.4.13 3.1 North East Wales Flood Risk Management Wales (FRMW) Member;

Cllr Michael Edwards 18.4.13 3.1

Wrexham Local Planning Authority

Lawrence Isted-Head of Community Wellbeing and Development

18.4.13 3.1

United Utilities Not sent-No contact details 18.4.13 3.1 Network Rail (NR) Claire Wise 18.4.13 3.1 BRB Kevin Giles 18.4.13 3.1 British Telecom Not sent-No contact Details 18.4.13 3.1 Welsh Government Paul Critchley 18.4.13 3.1 General Public 18.4.13 3.1 WLGA Neville Rookes 18.4.13 3.1

18.4.13 3.1 Welsh Government Final submission of documents to

Jo Larner and Paul Critchley 18.4.13 3.1

Wrexham Copyright. All Rights Reserved.

The information contained in this document can be made available in alternative formats: large print, braille, audio tape or on disc. We can

also translate this document into other languages.



Contents

Page

Executive Summary 5

Introduction 6

Annexe A: Sources of Flood Risk

Annexe B Wrexham County Council Lead Local Flood Authority Strategic Flood Group

Annexe C LLFA Policy on Culverting

Annexe A: Sources of Flood Risk

Annexe D: Source Control Sustainable Drainage Systems

Annexe E: Environment Agency: Prepare your Property

Annexe F: Other sources of Information

Annexe G: Glossary of Terms

Risk Management Authorities and Function 10

Local Flood Risk Management Principles and Objectives 14

Proposed Measures 17

Assessment of Local Flood Risk 20

Implementation (Costs and Benefits) 27

Funding 41

Environmental Objectives (Other Plans and Programmes) 43

Review and Monitoring 45



Executive Summary

The Local Flood Risk Management Strategy for Wrexham County Borough Council sets out its principles, objectives and measures for the management of local flood risk. Local flood risk is defined as “surface water run off, ground water and ordinary watercourses and included any lake, pond or other body of water that feeds from an ordinary watercourse. The responsibilities associated with this flood risk management, take the form of either statutory duties or permissive powers derived from the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and Flood Risk Regulations 2009. Implementation of these duties and powers are reflected in the proposed measures set out in Figure 1.6 for the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.

It is Wrexham’ County Borough Council’s role as a new Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) to allocate sufficient funding for the implementation of these measures. The Local Flood Risk Strategy sets out measures specific to the assessment of local flood risk associated with the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessments or PFRA’s. The measures cut across departments of the Council and are reflective of the need for a cross disciplinary approach and benefits attributed to flood risk management.

The Local Flood Risk Strategy is based on the core principles of sustainable development and accords to the objectives of the National Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategy for Wales.

In the absence of a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy there will be no strategic approaches applied to flood risk management. The co-ordination of the roles associated with flood risk measures are likely to duplicate or exacerbate local flood risk issues which are predicted to increase over the next twenty five years and beyond with heavy rainfall and changeable weather associated with climate change.



Introduction

The Flood and Water Management Act 20101 places the responsibility for “local flood risk” which is defined as flooding arising from ordinary watercourses, including a lake, pond or other area of water, surface run-off and groundwater for Wrexham County Borough Council as a Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA).

The risk, of flood risk as referred to in the National Strategy is calculated by taking the likelihood (i.e. chance of flooding or coastal erosion) and multiplying it by the consequences (i.e. impacts of the flooding or coastal erosion). The likelihood of an event is usually expressed as either a percentage of probability or an annual chance in any one year, for example as 1% annual probability of flooding or a 1 in 100 chance of flooding at a location in any one year. The likelihood of flooding depends on factors, which includes weather patterns, geology, topography and land use. The consequences of flooding events may vary and in each case consequences of the events differ. All flooding and coastal erosion events carry a risk to life either for those directly affected or for those attempting to help those directly affected. Consequences can include damage to buildings and structures, the deposition of sewerage and debris in properties and streets, damage and impassable network infrastructure, loss of livestock and agricultural land and impacts on key infrastructure (such water supply treatment works and pumping stations and sewerage treatment works as utility stations, hospitals, fire stations, ambulance, police stations and transport systems including road and rail) and the environment in regards to water quality and ecology and the cultural and landscape heritage of places.

The Flood and Water Management Act (2010) Part 1 subsection (1) defines “Flood” to include any case where land not normally covered by water becomes covered by water. It does not matter for the purposes of subsection (1) whether the flood is caused by heavy rainfall, a river overflowing or its banks being breached; a dam overflowing or being breached; tidal waters; ground water or anything else including a combination of factors. It also states that “Flood” does not include (3) (a)) a flood from any part of the sewerage systems, unless wholly or partly caused by an increase in the volume of rainwater (including snow and other precipitation entering or otherwise affecting the system or (b) a flood caused by a burst water main (within section 219 of the Water Industry Act 1991)

For Lead Local Flood Authorities to assess the risks and consequences of local flood risk, the Flood and Water Management Act (2010) places a number of statutory duties and powers which link and build on to the Flood Risk Regulations 20092 . These duties and powers inform the measures set out in this strategy will need to accord with the objectives of the National Flood Risk Management Strategy for Wales. Figure 1.0 below sets out the main form of these responsibilities.

1 Flood and Water Management Act 2010: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/29/contents

2 Flood Risk Regulations 2009, available from; http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/3042/contents/made


http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/3042/contents/madehttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/29/contents


Figure 1.0 Wrexham County Borough Council Lead Local Flood Authority Responsibilities

The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 places a number of statutory duties on Local Authorities in their new role as LLFA including:

° the preparation of local flood risk management strategies; ° a duty to comply with the National Strategy; ° to co-operate with other authorities, including sharing data; ° a duty to investigate all flooding within its area, insofar as a LLFA

consider it necessary or appropriate ° a duty to maintain a register of structures and features likely to affect

flood risk; and ° a duty to contribute to sustainable development. ° role of approving, adoption and maintenance of sustainable drainage

systems; ° Ordinary Watercourse Consents;

In addition to these each LLFA has a number of what are called permissive powers. These are powers that allow them to do something, but do not compel them to and include:

° powers to request information; ° powers to designate certain structures or features that affect flood or

coastal erosion risk; ° the expansion of powers to undertake works to include broader risk

management actions; and ° the ability to cause flooding or coastal erosion under certain conditions;

Under section 10 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 Lead Local Flood Authorities have a statutory requirement to develop, maintain apply and monitor a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS)

The strategy importantly draws together the work programme of the Flood Group of the North Wales Resilience Forum. It directly relates to the Council’s Plan 20122016 and three key strategic priorities of Economy; Place and People, Wrexham’s Community Strategy 2009-2020 and numerous plans and strategies from the Authority’s different departments and flood risk management authorities within the Strategic Flood Group for Wrexham County Borough Council Lead Local Flood Authority (Annexe A)

The measures set out in this strategy, once adopted will to be incorporated into service management plans to ensure the risk based approach and holistic management of plans, programmes and projects. Organised around the central principal of sustainable development (Section 27 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010)3 is reflected and delivered through the Council’s Plan. Under the direction and co-ordination roles associated with the Flood Risk

3 Sustainable Development Guidance 2011 http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/epq/waterflooding/flooding/nationalstrategy/ guidance/sdguidance/?lang=en


http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/epq/waterflooding/flooding/nationalstrategy


Management Resilience Officer and Emergency Planning Team of the Community Wellbeing and Development Department of the Council.

This strategic approach is important because our climate is changing and in coming years we will experience hotter drier summers and warmer wetter winters. Forecasts suggest that we will see higher sea levels, increased intensity of rainfall and more frequent flooding. More of us will experience flooding, the consequences of flooding will be greater and risk to life, the economy and the environment will increase and will represent a significant challenge.

The Flood and Water Management Act requires that the LFRMS sets out the following ° The risk management authorities in Wrexham County Borough Council; ° The flood and coastal risk management functions that may be exercised by

those authorities in relation to Wrexham County Borough Council; ° The objectives for managing local flood risk; ° The measures proposed to achieve those objectives; ° How and when the measures are expected to be implemented; ° The costs and benefits of those measures, and how they are to be paid for; ° The assessment of local flood risk for the purpose of the strategy; ° How and when the strategy is to be reviewed; ° How the strategy contributes to the achievement of wider environmental

objectives.

The Wrexham County Borough Council LFRMS strategy is based on a general approach set illustrated by Figure 1.1 below;

Figure1.1 Welsh Government, Environment Agency and Defra general approach to flood and coastal risk management

Do it & review it: do what we planned and review if it worked

Assess risks: what is the scale of risk now and in the future

Set objectives: what are we aiming to achieve

(goals & outcomes)

Decide what needs to be done: to achieve the risk management objectives

This strategy must be consistent with the national flood and coastal erosion risk management in Wales and the Lead Local Flood Authority must consult risk management authorities that may be affected by the strategy (including risk April 2013 Version 3.1 8


management authorities in England) and the public and be completed by 31st

March 2013. And whilst it is acknowledged that Wrexham does not have a coast, references need to refer to flood and coastal risk management because of the need to comply with the National Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategy.

Strategic Environmental Assessments

Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) involves the appraisal of the potential environmental impacts of plans and programmes (including strategies) prior to their approval and formal adoption. This local strategy is considered to be a statutory plan and so an SEA has been required.

Habitats Regulations Assessments

Due to the potential of this strategy to have a significant effect on sites of international nature conservation, namely Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Ramsar sites, a Strategic Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) will need to be undertaken in parallel with the SEA. The HRA will be integrated with the SEA process and the conclusions of the HRA will be provided as a summary to the SEA Environmental Report. A non technical summary of the Environmental Report accompanies the Draft strategy document.

Equalities Impact Assessment

Equalities Impact Assessment EIA/0620 has been completed.



Risk Management Authorities and Functions

Section 6 (15) of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 defines Welsh Risk Management Authority as follows;

° the Environment Agency (Natural Resources Wales); ° lead local flood authority; ° district council for an area which has no unitary authority (England only); ° highway authority; ° an internal drainage board for an internal drainage district; ° a water company that exercises functions in relation to an area in Wales;

In Wales, this equates to 31 Risk Management Authorities, listed in Annexe C of the Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategy for Wales 2011. And whilst Risk Management Authorities are specifically referred to in the Act, it is important to recognise the key contribution of other internal and external organisations, and stakeholders listed in the guidance for Local Flood Risk Management Strategies November 2011. The integration of these authorities is shown in Figure 1.2 below.

Figure 1.2 Welsh Government, Defra and Environment Agency diagram of Risk Management Authorities.

For Wrexham County Borough Council Lead Local Flood Authority, the Risk Management Authorities are listed in Figure 1.3 below. April 2013 Version 3.1 10


Figure 1.3 Risk Management Authorities

Risk Management Authority Contact Details Lead Local Flood Authority Wrexham County Borough Council (Include Highways Authority The Guildhall Wrexham LL11 1AY

for local roads) Phone number: 01978 292000 Minicom: 01978 292067 Email address: [email protected] Website: www.wrexham.gov.uk

Environment Agency Wales Northern Area Office (Natural Resources Wales- Ffordd Penlan

April 2013 (Countryside Council for Wales, Forestry

Parc Menai Bangor Gwynedd

Commission and Environment LL57 4DE Agency Wales). Telephone 08708 506506 Email:

[email protected] website: www.envionmrnt-agency.gov.uk Flood line Phone number 0845 988 1188 (24 hour service) Type Talk 0845 602 6340

Dee Valley Dee Valley Packsaddle Wrexham Road, Rhostyllen Wrexham LL14 4EH Customer Services number: 01978 833200 Fax: 01978 846888 Leakline: 0800 298 7112 Emergency: 01978 846946 Email: [email protected] Website: Dee Valley Group

Severn Trent Severn Trent Water Ltd Customer Relations Sherbourne House St Martin's Road, Finham Coventry CV3 6SD Tel: 024 7771 5000 Website: www.stwater.co.uk

Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water Dŵr Cymru - Welsh Water Pentwyn Road Nelson Treharris CF46 6LY Head office phone number: 01443 452300 Customer services: 0800 052 0140 Website: www.dwrcymru.co.uk

Wrexham County Borough Council is the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) for its administrative area as well as being the Highways Authority.

Environment Agency Wales (Natural Resources Wales) is the Welsh Government sponsored public body whose principal aims are to protect and improve the environment and to promote sustainable development. The remit and role of the Environment Agency has been changed by the Floods and Water Management Act. In addition to flooding from sea and rivers, the Environment Agency has new responsibilities in relation to coastal erosion, a wider oversight role for all flood and coastal risk management in Wales. This represents dual role that has involved a change to their operational role and new oversight role for flood risk management activities.



Water and Sewerage Companies are responsible not only for the provision of water but also making appropriate arrangements for the drainage of foul water, the treatment of waste, surface water sewers and combined sewers. They have primary responsibility for water and sewerage systems, which can include sewer flooding, burst pipes or water mains or floods causes by system failures. No changes have been made to the operational arrangements for water and sewerage companies in respect of flood risk. The floods and water management act places a number of statutory duties on water and sewerage companies including;

° a duty to act consistently with the National Strategy; ° a duty to have regard to local flood risk management strategies and other

guidance; ° a duty to co-operate with other Risk Management Authorities including the

sharing of data;

All risk management authorities (except water companies) are required to act in a manner consistent with both local and national strategies. In exercising any other function in a manner which may affect flood or costal risk, a Welsh Risk Management Authority must have regard to both national and local strategies and any associated guidance.

Utility and Infrastructure Providers Utility and infrastructure providers such as Network Rail, energy companies and telecommunication companies are not risk management authorities. However they have a crucial role to play in flood risk management as their assets can be important in planning for flooding. Moreover, they may have assets such as culverts, information about which needs to be shared with flood risk management authorities. They already maintain plans for the future development and maintenance of the services they provide and it is important that they factor in flood risk management issues into this planning process.

This will ensure that their assets and systems are resilient to flood and coastal risks and that the required level of service can be maintained in the event of an incident. Utility and infrastructure providers may wish to invest time and resources into developing and delivering the local flood risk management strategy, to realise the significant benefits for them and their customers that follow from flood risks being effectively managed.

Property Owners and Residents It is the responsibility of householders and businesses to look after their home or business, including protecting it from flooding. While in some circumstances other organisations or property owners may be liable due to neglect of their own responsibilities, there will be many occasions when flooding occurs despite all parties meeting their responsibilities. Consequently it is important that householders, whose homes are at risk of flooding, take steps to ensure that their house is protected.

These steps include: ° checking whether their household is at risk of flooding from the river, coast

or local flood sources April 2013 Version 3.1 12


° ensure that preparations have been made in case a flood occurs ° taking measures to ensure that their house is protected from flooding, either

through permanent or temporary measures ° taking measures to make sure the house is resilient to flooding so that if

flooding does occur it does not cause too much damage ° where possible, take out flood insurance.

Information on whether households are at risk can be provided by the Environment Agency Wales. Information about surface water flood risk is not yet publicly available and is much harder to map but some information can be found in the Wrexham County Borough Council Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment.

The Environment Agency Wales provides information on what to do to prepare a household for emergencies. This includes how to make a flood plan which will help you decide what practical actions to take before and after a flood. The Environment Agency Wales has also developed a pamphlet which provides advice on how to make your house more resilient.

Another valuable document for householders to refer to is The National Flood Forum’s Blue Pages Directory which provides information and advice on what products are available to help protect homes or businesses against flooding.

Riparian Owners Landowners, householders and businesses whose property is adjacent to a river or a stream or a ditch are likely to be riparian owners, owning the land up to the centre of the watercourse with recognised legal rights and responsibilities. The Land Registry details should confirm this.

Riparian owners have a right to protect their property from flooding and erosion (as long as they do not exacerbate the situation for others elsewhere) but in most cases will need to discuss the method of doing this with the Environment Agency Wales or Wrexham County Borough Council. They also have responsibility for maintaining the bed and banks of the watercourse and ensuring there is no obstruction, diversion or pollution to the flow of the watercourse. Full details can be found in the EA document ‘Living on the Edge’.


4


Local Flood Risk Management Principles and Objectives

Principles The local flood risk management strategy is based on the central organising principle of sustainable development. The definition of Sustainable development is provided in Figure 1.4 below, is drawn from Welsh Governments’ One Wales: One Planet 2009 Outcomes and Indicators and Environment Strategy

Figure 1.4: The definition of sustainable development

“Enhancing the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of people and communities, achieving a better quality of life for our own and future generations in ways which:

• promote social justice and equality of opportunity, and;

• enhance the natural and cultural environment and respect its limits - using only our fair share of the earth’s resources and sustaining our cultural legacy.”

Our approach to embedding sustainable development as our central organising principle is based around three key principles and a number of additional supporting principles. The three key principles are:

° Long-terminism : ensuring that all decisions promote the long term, sustainable wellbeing of people and communities, and do not promote short term fixes that will continue to lock us into unsustainable patterns and lifestyles;

° Integration: ensuring that all decisions take full account of, and where possible fully integrate, the various social, economic and environmental outcomes that are being sought; and

° Involvement: engaging with, and involving, the people and communities that will be affected by these decisions, so that working in partnership for sustainable development becomes part and parcel of the way we work.

The supporting principles, and their relevance to flood and coastal erosion risk, and the Council Plan can be summarised as follows;

Place: ° Low ecological footprint:

All flood and coastal erosion risk management should not overuse, but seek to work in harmony with natural resources and processes, promote resource

4 Environment Strategy 2006 http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/epq/envstratforwales/?lang=en


http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/epq/envstratforwales/?lang=en


efficiency, and minimise waste, so we are clear that flood and coastal erosion risk management will help us reduce Wales’ ecological footprint;

° Evidence base: An evidenced-based approach to decision-making should be used, but where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to promote sustainable approaches to flood and coastal erosion risk management;

° Polluter pays: Social and environmental costs of development should fall on those who impose them; Mitigation and compensation measures will need to be assessed as part of the flood risk management development proposals;

° Reflecting distinctiveness: Approaches to sustainable flood and coastal erosion risk management should reflect and respond to the particular needs and issues of communities, and the differing economic, social and environmental circumstances in different parts of Wales.

Economy: ° Full costs and benefits:

Whole system thinking and whole life costing are key approaches that should be used. Taking account of risks - especially to the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of communities - and uncertainties associated with action and inaction should also be part of the decision-making process;

People: ° Wellbeing:

The sustainable development approach requires an approach which maximises the long-term economic, social and environmental wellbeing of people and communities in Wales, whilst living within environmental limits. Safeguards the continued provision of ecosystem services from our natural environment, and avoids exposing current and future generation to increasing risk. Improving the resilience of communities, the economy and the natural, historic, and social environment to address current and future flood risk.

° Wellbeing is considered by the Welsh Government as being a positive physical, social and mental state. It requires that basic needs are met, individuals have a sense of purpose and they feel able to reach personal goals and take part in society. Wellbeing is enhanced by:

° supportive personal relationships; ° strong and inclusive communities; ° good health; ° financial and personal security; ° rewarding employment; ° a healthy and attractive environment.



° Managed Adaptive Approach: The managed adaptive approach (from adapting to climate change5 of flood and coastal risk management highlights the core principle of well-being. Making risk management measures available to everyone and that the most deprived communities in Wales receive the same level of service as the most affluent. Delivering effective flood and coastal risk management systems is one way of delivering strong and safe communities where people want to live and work and where businesses want to invest.

Objectives

The sustainable development approach and delivered outcomes are closely aligned to the National Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategy’s (2011) (NCRMS) sets out four overarching objectives for the flood risk management in Wales;

NFCRMS 1: Reducing the consequences for individuals, communities, businesses and the environment from flooding and coastal erosion;

NFCRMS 2: Raising awareness of and engaging people in the response to flood and coastal erosion risk;

NCFRMS 3: Providing an effective and sustained response to flood and coastal erosion events; and

NFCRMS 4: Prioritising investment in the most at risk communities.

These objectives set out eleven sub objectives and measures which are applicable at a local level through the local Flood Risk Management Strategy and set out further within the implementation section.

The scoping report of the Strategic Environmental Assessment identified EU, UK, Wales and local plans and strategies relevant to the LFRMS. The local flood risk management strategy is one of many plans, assessments and programmes affecting water and flooding and directly relates to River Basin Management Plans, River Catchment Management Plans. Shoreline Management Plans, Flood Consequence Assessments, Preliminary Flood Risk Assessments and Surface Water Management Plans referred to in the assessment of flood risk section.

The Strategic Flood Group will direct and co-ordinate the strategies, plans and projects that will contribute or affect the management of flood risk management in Wrexham. The strategy’s outcomes, once published will need to be incorporated within the Council Plan, and performance monitored. The Strategy sets out measures relevant to existing roles and departments that form the Strategic Flood Group shown in Appendix A.

Proposed Measures

5 Adapting to Climate Change 2011 http://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/publications/111231floodingclimatechangeen.pdf


http://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/publications/111231floodingclimatechangeen.pdf


Wrexham County Borough Council as a Lead Local Flood Authority is committed to ensuring improvements to the quality of life, providing a place that is economically prosperous, a place that is safe place which values citizenship, community spirit and social responsibility. A place that looks after it’s built and natural surroundings and a place that cares for people’s health. The inclusion of the outcomes within the Council Plan will ensure that the Council’s priorities of People, Place and Economy around the central organising principle of sustainable development.

The principles of this approach are important because they demonstrate the need to look at flood risk management activities more strategically and more holistically. This is achieved in two ways, firstly by general principles of the approach and the strategic environmental assessment of the outcomes and measures against the Strategic Environmental Assessment scope and objectives for the County Borough.

These new approaches are being delivered through the legislation of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and Flood Risk Regulations 2009. These are pieces of new legislation that have evolved from traditional a flood defence approach to a risk management approach which is illustrated by Figure 1.5 below, which have been drawn up from both the Pitt Review and Foresight Update on recommendations following the Floods of 2007.

Figure 1.5 Flood Risk Management

Traditional drainage and defences still have a role within flood risk management and provide protection to our communities through embankments, walls and locally piped drainage systems. Our communities have incorporated a network of these features within the County Borough and as these develop, there is a requirement to ensure that assets and infrastructure is maintained and registered and adequate infrastructure is provided. Our natural environment within our communities provides natural assets and offers opportunities for soft engineering solutions within sustainable drainage systems.

Wrexham County Borough Council has determined a number of measures and activities that directly relate to the Council’s Plan 2012-16 and the National Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategy 2011. The proposed activities are described in Figure 1.6 and are numbered L1-11. The measures proposed have been assessed against the SEA objectives SEA01-09 and are specific to the assessment of local flood risk for the County Borough.


o ra nwa er arve ng u s across e oroug . r aeo og ca ru

Figure 1.6 Proposed Objectives and Measures of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS); National Flood and Coastal Risk Management Objectives (Wales)

Wre

xham

Co

un

ty B

oro

ug

h C

ou

nci

l, C

ou

nci

l Pla

n 2

012-

16 E

con

om

y P

eop

le a

nd

Pla

ce a

nd

Str

ateg

ic o

bje

ctiv

e :

Org

anis

atio

n

Council Plan Outcomes

Wrexham Strategic Environmental Assessment Objectives

LFRMS Measures (L1-11)

(Short, Medium, Long Term) Short -5 years Medium 5-10 years Long Term > 10 years

Indicators Risk Management Authority/ Relevant Stakeholder


People: PE3, PE4, PE5; Place PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4

SEAO1. To protect human health and wellbeing;

L1. Improve the level of understanding of local flood risk and promote a strategic approach to flood risk management within the Lead Local Flood Authority, Flood Risk Partners and Stakeholders;

Medium Long

Levels of flood risk deprivation within Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation. Level of baseline information on flood risk. Strategic performance monitoring outputs of the LFRMS Measures within the Council Plan

LLFA, Highways Authority, Planning Authority, Environment Agency, Water Companies

People: PE3, PE4, PE5; Place PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4

SEAO2. To minimise the risk of flooding and ensure new development is located outside TAN 15 zones C1 and C2 and that all developments apply the principles of sustainable drainage and water sensitive design;

L2. Promote a successful development plan and management approach to local flood risk issues to address issues of urban creep, resilience, water sensitive design and sustainable drainage systems

Medium/ Long

Numbers of properties, key infrastructure and community buildings at risk from flooding, from different sources; Reduction in flood risk to existing properties and business. Flood risk issues informing local development plan allocations and development plan briefs. Number of developments incorporating sustainable drainage schemes, to an adoptable and maintained standard.

LLFA, Highways Authority, Planning Authority, Environment Agency Water Companies

L3. Establish an effective asset management register which includes designated structures and risk based approach to maintenance schedules.

Long Annual review of existing structures. Number of development schemes per year which incorporate sustainable drainage systems, to an adoptable and maintained standard. Total number of flood risk assets on the register each year. Annual review of maintenance regimes. The number of maintenance regimes reviewed each year. The number of assets identified through investigation reports.

LLFA, Highways Authority, Environment Agency, Water Companies

People: PE3, Place PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4 and Economy E2, E1 and E3

SEAO3. To ensure the potential impact of flooding on existing and future critical infrastructure is minimised;

L4. Effective collection and collating of flood event information through the use of geographical information systems, and databases to identify, and prioritise sources and consequences of flood risk within communities

Long Number of investigation reports published each year. LLFA, Highways Authority, Planning Authority, Environment Agency Water Companies, Civic Canal and River Trust, Rail track and North Wales trunk Road Agency;

NFCRMS2: Raising awareness of and engaging people in the response to flood and coastal erosion risk;

Place PL2, PL4 SEAO4. To protect enhance biodiversity and nature conservation in Wrexham County Borough

L5. Promote and develop scope for natural approaches to both flood risk management and land use management, so that source control measures, flood attenuation and storage (sustainable drainage systems) are utilised to reduce surface water run off.

Long The number of rural sustainable drainage systems used or developed per year. Area of land used to temporarily store water away from high risk areas each year. Number of schemes implemented to reconnect rivers to floodplains. Number of restored or area of restored peat bogs. Floodplain areas of the borough reforested. Number of green roofs. Amount of permeable paving areas for residential, business and industry across the borough. Number of surface water attenuation ponds. Number f i t h sti b tt th B h

LLFA, Highways Authority, Planning Authority, Environment Agency Water Companies, Civic Canal and River Trust, Rail track and North Wales trunk Road Agency, Rural Development Agencies, Clwyd Powys A ch l i l T st

Place PL2, PL3 SEAO5. To protect the best quality soil and enhance the quality and character of the landscape; 6. To maintain and enhance water resources and

18


water quality; Number of ordinary watercourse consents granted per year. % of development on previously developed land. Number of wards within 20% most deprived wards with access to services/employment. Ha of open space deficit within the Borough. % of accessible green space as defined by CCW and Green Network Strategy and % of naturalness within the County Borough improved through flood

People PE3, PE4; Place PL2, PL4

SEAO6. To maintain and/or enhance the character of townscapes, cultural heritage and assets within Wrexham County Borough;

L6. Adopt a non culverting policy approach to ordinary watercourses

Byr

L7. To investigate flood events Medium

People PE4, PE3; SEAO7. To maintain and Place PL1, PL2, enhance water resources management approaches or projects. PL3, PL4 and and water quality Number of investigation reports published each year, Economy E1, E2 where practicable. and E3 The number of assets identified through investigation

reports. People PE4, PE3; SEAO8. Protect and Place PL1, PL2, Enhance Wrexham’s PL3, PL4 and County Borough’s Economy E1, E2 Landscape and Visual and E3 Amenity;

NCFRMS 3: Providing an effective and sustained response to flood and coastal erosion events; and

NFCRMS4: Prioritising investment in the most at risk communities

People PE3, PE4, PE5; Place PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4; Economy E1, E2 and E3.

SEAO9. To adapt development to withstand the impacts if climate change;

L8. Promote greater level of community resilience, awareness and preparedness which encourages proactive and responsible maintenance of privately owned assets and flood defences

Medium Number of key infrastructure providers registered to the Targeted Flood Warning System. The number of communities groups registered for Met Office and EA Warning systems; Number of investigation reports published each year. % of commercial or new buildings or refurbishments meeting BREEAM “very good” standard. % of homes new build and refurbishment achieving CSH very good standard. Number of properties that have installed property protection measures per year. Number of Community Plans held each year. The provision of quarterly area Flood Partnership Meetings each year.

LLFA, Planning Authority, Environment Agency and Water Companies North Wales Resilience Forum

L9.Improve the response and recovery to flooding events by emergency response

Long Number of engagement activities with groups held each year.

LLFA, North Wales Resilience Forum

organisations, individuals and businesses Council and agencies committed to training of EMRT Teams. Number of queries received from people on insurance issues relating to flood risk. Preparation and testing multi agency flood plans Review and development of Community Flood Plans.

and Environment Agency, Water Companies

L10 Maximise opportunities for partnership working within the LLFA, flood risk partners and stakeholders

Long Annual update of information onto the Community Risk Register. Number of engagement activities with groups held each year. Continuation and development of Flood-Coordination Group for North Wales. Identification of future

LLFA, North Wales Resilience Forum and Environment Agency, Water Companies L11 Identify projects and programmes which

are affordable maximising capital funding Long

from external sources. partnerships and collaboration for Suds Approval Body (SAB) Annual monitoring of asset register. Improvements to baseline information collection and recording.


Assessment of Local Flood Risk

The Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment for Wrexham (2011) forms the baseline of local flood risk information for the local strategy. The flood risk for Wrexham County Borough is shown on Figure 1.8 and listed in Figure 1.9 from the PFRA (2011) Assessment and will inform the high level risk based approach to the implementation of measures. It is also important to take into consideration the adjacent authorities of Denbighshire, Cheshire West and Chester, Powys and Shropshire County Councils to facilitate a catchment based analysis.

Local Flood Risk Surface Water flooding occurs following intense rainfall which, due to the large volume of water exceeds the ability of the drainage systems to cope. Due to its sudden nature there is very little lead time available for warnings. Sudden rises in water levels can cause localised flooding, often affecting individual streets and/or properties as the drainage network is unable to cope. The PFRA identified that surface water flooding was the most prominent cause of flooding, whereby surface water run off from paved surfaces affects properties located below the level of the road surface, and where there is insufficient drainage or blockages.

Groundwater flooding occurs as a result of water rising up from the underlying aquifer or from water flowing from abnormal springs. This tends to occur after long periods of sustained high rainfall, and the areas at most risk are often low-lying where the water table is more likely to be at shallow depth. Groundwater flooding is known to occur in areas underlain by major aquifers, although increasingly it is also being associated with more localised floodplain sands and gravels. The PFRA identified no records of past groundwater flooding within the County Borough.

British Waterways are now referred to as Civic Canal and River Trust. For the purposes of the PFRA, they provided details of the canal network. There were no historic records of canal overtopping or flooding issues from a canal within the County Borough, which meet the criteria for a significant flooding. There were a few events of canal breach/overtopping within the area which affected rural areas and were caused by badgers burrowing under the canal in two cases. The first, in 2004, only flooded rural areas; the second in 2009 caused flooding and the evacuation of 1 property as well as causing water damage to a car. Both these incidents occurred around the village of Bettisfield

Sewer Flooding Sewer flooding is often caused by excess surface water entering the drainage network. WW/DC provided information to confirm there were a total of 155 sewer flooding events that have been recorded by the WW/DC since 2001. Severn Trent mapping data is not currently available. Severn Trent are progressing the provision of this information with Authorities.

Interactions of Local Flood Risk and Main Rivers The PFRA found insufficient data was available, to draw definitive conclusions at this point. However, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that surface water flooding is exacerbated in some areas, such as Bangor on Dee when the river is in flood. This occurred during the November 2000 floods when the one-way flap valves were unable to open due to the river level being above them, with the pressure of the river keeping the flap closed. As a consequence of this, High

20


Volume Pumps (HVP’s) pumps were brought in to extract the excess surface water in to the river system.

In Wrexham County Borough there were no areas identified as significant risk threshold with an affected population, greater than 5,000 people. Within the Wrexham County Borough Council Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) 20116, 20 1km square areas of 200 properties, 20 businesses or 1 critical infrastructure have been identified. These are areas which do not meet the statutory flood risk areas of 5,000 people but areas which are locally significant. These areas are concentrated around Wrexham, Llay Industrial Estate, Wrexham Industrial Estate and urban villages of Gwersyllt, Rhosllanerchrugog, Ruabon, Coedpoeth, Cefn Mawr, Acrefair, Chirk and Glyn Ceiriog, Ceiriog Valley. This local threshold will continue to form the basis of the LFRMS supported by continuing collection of information on local flood events.

The PFRA (2011) 1km2 squares show that local flood risk could potentially affect 20,696 properties. The Environment Agency maps on surface water show a total number of 451 properties within areas susceptible to surface water flooding. The Environment Agency Flood map for surface water shows that 1922 properties could potentially be affected by 1 in 30 flood event, and 5312 properties are shown at risk from the 1 in 200 flood map for surface water. To date, the County Borough has received 383 flooding incidents.

The flooding events that have occurred this year 2012-2013 within the County Borough l have varied in size and caused different patterns of events. In April prolonged and heavy rainfall caused problems associated with surface water run off and river flooding alerts in Acrefair and Rossett. The events in July and August were associated with surface water flooding and flash flooding in urban villages of Gwersyllt, Gresford, Marford, Llay and Burton Green. In September, flooding events covered the borough causing surface water and river flooding to the Alyn and surrounding farmland around Holt, Farndon and Rossett.

The flood risk areas for Wrexham are listed in Figure 1.8 shows the PFRA squares in relation to the community council areas and shows how many properties, business or infrastructure could be affected. The table compares this information in relation to the EA Areas Susceptible to Surface Water Flooding and Flood Map for Surface Water, groundwater flooding areas, the historic flood outline and flood zones, canal flooding from Civic Canal and River Trust and sewer flooding from Welsh Water and the historical flooding data captured by the LLFA. The table also shows how these areas relate to the policy areas of the River Dee Catchment Plan and River Dee Basin Management Plan. Figure 1.9 will help identify the highest risk areas for the implementation of measures (L1-11) and forthcoming flood risk maps and flood risk management plans.

Environment Agency River Dee Catchment Flood Management Plan (2010) Flood risk is the combination of the likelihood (or probability) of a particular flood event occurring and the consequence (or impact) of the flood event if it occurred. within a one year period. This is known as an Annual Exceedance Probability which is expressed as a % AEP and is the probability of a particular flood event (or size) occurring in one year. Flood risk is likely to be exacerbated by climate

6 WCBC (2011) Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment April 2013 Version 3.1 21


change, and UKC09 projections indicate that rainfall will change significant with 90% probability, wetter winters causing higher river flow, especially when combined with sea level rise and more frequent and intense extreme rainfall events. The main sources of flood risk in Wrexham County Borough include river flooding, surface water flooding, some sewer, ground water and ordinary watercourse flooding.

Flooding has occurred at many locations throughout the River Dee Catchment Flood Management (CFMP) area, mostly from the main River Dee and its major tributaries but also from several small watercourses. Significant floods were recorded in 1890, 1946, and 2000. The River Dee CFMP 7 identifies a number of populated areas which are affected include Rossett, Holt, Wrexham, Coedpoeth and Rhosllanerchrugog. In 2000, flooding was widespread across the catchment to places which have never flooded before

In the River Dee catchment area, a 1% AEP event could affect approximately 4,200 properties. In the County Borough of Wrexham there are considered to be 100-500 number of properties within Wrexham and Bangor on Dee and between 50-100 properties in Cefn Mawr at risk from flooding. This would equate to a flood risk to 0.5% of the population in 2010 and is because large amounts of area that are at risk of flooding from fluvial sources forms agricultural low land areas. There are limitations to this data given the lack of historic records associated with surface water flooding.

The CFMP (2010) has six policy areas cross the catchment area. These policy areas are incorporated into sub area action plans. The key policy options 2, 3 and 4 for Wrexham are listed in Figure 1.7 below.

Figure 1.7 River Dee Catchment Management Policies for Wrexham Policy 2: Middle Dee, Bangor on Dee and East of the Borough Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we can generally reduce existing flood risk management actions. This policy will tend to be applied where the overall level of risk to people and property is low to moderate. It may no longer be value for money to focus on continuing current levels of maintenance of existing defences if we can use resources to reduce risk where there are more people at higher risk. We would therefore review the flood risk management actions being taken so that they are proportionate to the level of risk

Policy 3: Lower Dee (Rossett, Holt Farndon and Main Alyn West of Wrexham Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we are generally managing existing flood risk effectively; This policy will tend to be applied where the risks are currently appropriately managed and where the risk of flooding is not expected to increase significantly in the future. However, we keep our approach under review, looking for improvements and responding to new challenges or information as they emerge. We may review our approach to managing flood defences and other flood

7 EA (2010) The River Dee Catchment Management Plan April 2013 Version 3.1 22


risk management actions, to ensure that we are managing efficiently and taking the best approach to managing flood risk in the longer term.

Policy 4: Wrexham (Rossett to Erddig and Rhostyllen) Areas of low, moderate or high flood risk where we are already managing the flood risk effectively but where we may need to take further actions to keep pace with climate change; This policy will tend to be applied where the risks are currently deemed to be appropriately-managed, but where the risk of flooding is expected to significantly rise in the future. In this case we would need to do more in the future to contain what would otherwise be increasing risk. Taking further action to reduce risk will require further appraisal to assess whether there are socially and environmentally sustainable, technically viable and economically justified options.

The sub areas relevant to Wrexham County Borough include, Sub area 1:Upper Dee, Sub Area 2: Main Alyn, Sub Area 3: Middle Dee , Sub Area 4 Wrexham and Sub Area 5: Lower Dee. For each of these sub areas there are a list of partners, an outline of the issues, and outline of the policy approach required and actions required to implement them.

Environment Agency River Dee Basin Management Plan (2009) The River Dee is considered as part of a wider river basin including the river, its tributaries and estuary. The source of the Dee is near Bala and the whole basin includes Llyn Tegid Special Area of Conservation (SAC) through to the Dee Estuary (SPA) including reservoirs at Llyn Tegid, Celyn and Brenig. The Dee is of high biodiversity value due to its originally low nutrient status and high quality riparian habitats. Its interest includes a number of species that are typical of high quality rivers with low nutrient levels in the water. Of particular note is the use of the River Dee as a migration route by Atlantic salmon, up to spawning grounds in the river, some of which are within Wrexham County Borough.

The River Basin Management Plan current status of the water environment states that 28% of the surface waters are at good or better ecological/potential status now. 51% of the assessed surface waters are at a good or better ecological status now. 108 surface water bodies have been assessed for ecology and 72 have been assessed for biology. The River Dee and Bala lake is a SAC, is vulnerable to specific flood risk management measures and pressures in relating to canalised stretches altering habitats, collapsing embankments, nutrient levels, provision of water resource locally and to parts of the West Midlands and North West of England, recreational disturbance, siltation from construction and invasive species.

Limitations

There are limitations to the data provided with each source of information varying in format and level of detail. Improvements in the recording system have been identified and are included as a measure of the LFRMS. Once adopted and monitored improvements in flood risk information held by the Lead Local Flood Authority will inform local flood risk management approach and ongoing review of the strategy.


Figure 1.8 Flood Risk Assessment across Wrexham County Borough (Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2012)

24


Figure 1.9 Flood Risk Areas within Wrexham County Borough PFRA Grid Reference

B FRA 2011 Blue Squares

Community Council Area

Total number of address points

EA Flood Zone Map 2009 EA Historic Flood Outline 2009 EA 30 FMSFW and ASTSWF >

Area Flood Partners hip

Number of Historical Incidents

WW (2011) DG5 Sewerage

Groundw ater Flooding

Canals or Ponds

River Dee Catchment policy Area

River Dee Sub Area

River Dee Basin Management

Centre Point)

Addres s

points

No of people (2.23)

Business Premises

/Units

Critical Infrastructure (Roads, sub

station, railway, hospitals or GP

surgeries, schools/Nurseries,

POS areas)

Type Yes or No (1 in 30, 50, 75, 100 or 200)

Yes (Year

and Type) Number

Yes, Number

and Type) No 43 0 , FMSFW 1in 30

No 5 0 >75 PONDS

3 5 MD

Abenbury 49 109

131 No 12 0 >50 PONDS

3 5 MD

Isycoed 0 0

122 No 3 0 >75 PONDS

4 4 MD E336500 N350400

3 Wrexham Industrial Estate West

Holt 3 7

-

WXM LINK ROAD FLOOD Z2/3, ASTSFW

>, FMSFW 1 in 30

No 0 0 >255075 PONDS

4 4 MD E334440 N352590 E333460 N352480 E334480 N351490

E338550 N351440 E332500 N351600

E334430 N350460

E333460 N350460

E332500 N350450

E333470 N349470

4 Wrexham Town Centre 5 Wrexham Town Centre 6 Wrexham Town Centre 7 Wrexham Town Centre 8 Wrexham Town Centre 9 Wrexham Town Centre 10 Wrexham Town Centre 11 Wrexham Town Centre 12 Wrexham Town Centre 13 Wrexham Town Centre

Gwersyllt 40 89

147 A494, A483,

Playing Fields ASTSFW >, FMSFW

1in 30 No 27 0 >25, FMSFW

1 in 30 No 22 0 >75 PONDS

4 4 MD

Rhosddu

3401 7584

379

A483, University, Retail, Civic 4

schools

ASTSFW >, FMSFW 1 in 30

No 17 0 >75

PONDS

4 4 MD

Acton 4399 9810

83 Acton Park ASTSFW >, FMSFW

1 in 30 No 47 22 >75 PONDS

4 4 MD

Holt

0 0

-A5156, Chester Road, Holt Road,

ASTSFW >, FMSFW 1 in 30

No 0 0 >25, FMSFW

1 in 30 No 31 1 >25, FMSFW 1 in 30 No 11 5 >25, FMSFW 1 in 30

2012 43 0 >2525


>, FMSFW 1 in 30

E332910 N349590

Abenbury

48 107

6 Abenbury Road

FLOOD Z2/3, ASTSFW >, FMSFW 1 in 30

No 6 , FMSFW 1 in 30

No 0 0 , FMSFW

1 in 30 No 0 0 >50>75 PONDS

¾ 2/4/ UD

Brymbo 1 2

121 None ASTSFW >, FMSFW

1 in 30 No 1 0 >50, FMSFW 1 in 30 No 0 1 >25, No 0 0 >25,

No 0 0 >25, FMSFW

1 in 30 No 0 0 >25, FMSFW

1 in 30 No 0 0 >25, FMSFW 1 in 30

No 0 0 >25, FMSFW 1 in 30

No 0 0 >25, FMSFW 1 in 30

No 0 0

PONDS

3 1 UD E328400 N338200

19. Chirk

Chirk South

41 91

15

Shropshire Union Canal, Railway Sports Ground,

Sewerage Treatment Plant, Industrial Estate


No 0 0 >75

PONDS CANAL

3 1 UD E320400 N337200

20 Glyn Ceiriog

Llansantffr aid Glyn Ceiriog

246 549

7 B5479 Disused

Mine, School


No 0 0 , FMSFW

1 in 30 No 0

Implementation

In terms of implementation it’s important to look at measures in terms of scale. For the National Coastal Flood Risk Assessment for Wales’ sets out the national and strategic overview for flooding context which informs the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy outcomes, in respects of local risk based assessment.

Implementation of the National Strategy at a local level will impact across society and communities and will have social economic and environmental benefits. In managing our communities at risk of flooding and coastal erosion, we are directly contributing to the quality of life of people, and helping to create strong and safe communities. Successful flood risk management contributes to the sustainable delivery of wider public services, including education, healthcare and people places live and work.

It is estimated that the annual damage from flooding is £200 million pounds in Wales. By targeting investment on a national scale, Flood Risk Management Authorities and relevant stakeholders can reduce the consequences of flooding and reduce this annual figure. Communities that are aware of risks and prepared for them are more resilient, they will recover faster at a lower cost for individuals and businesses. Through the use of natural approaches, flood and risk management functions can enhance the local and historical landscape and contribute towards the economy through local tourism and amenity spaces and linkages.

Whilst the implementation of measures is being led by Welsh Government , Flood Risk Management Authorities, Lead Local Flood Authorities, Environment Agency, Local Planning Authorities and the Category 1 and 2 Responders Civil Contingencies Act 2004. It involves many relevant stakeholders at a national and local scale. The legislation behind the strategy documents sits within the wider European Legislation Framework. The Local Flood Risk Management Strategy measures and outcomes are based on the duties and permissive powers of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and Flood Risk Regulations 2009.

Wrexham County Borough Council will be required to act, consistently and have due regard to the national and local strategy within the service plans, programmes, projects and strategies. There will be departments within the Local Authority which have functions that will deliver or contribute to the delivery of outcomes within the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. The contribution and co-ordination of these responsibilities will be managed through the direction of the Strategic Flood Group. These outcomes will need to be incorporated into service management plans and incorporated within the Council Plan 2012-2016 and any subsequent reviews.

Implementation of measures and outcomes, are organised in two parts by objectives of the National Strategy 1 and 2 in regards to reducing consequences and raising awareness and 3 and 4 on effective and sustained responses and prioritising investment. The implementation and indicators of these in relation to the Council Plan strategic themes of People, Place and Economy are shown in Figure 1.6 above.

The National Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategy’s (2011) (NFCRMS) sets out four overarching objectives for the flood risk management in Wales;

27



NFCRMS 2: Raising awareness of and engaging people in the response to flood and coastal erosion risk;

NCFRMS 3: Providing an effective and sustained response to flood and coastal erosion events;

NFCRMS 4: Prioritising investment in the most at risk communities.

The strategic principle of organisation underpins the strategy outcomes. For each of the four national objectives there is a set of sub-objectives. Most of these are national, whilst there are specific objectives led by Lead Local Flood Authority. The other objectives are indirectly influenced or led by the Lead Local Flood Authority. It’s the highlighted GREEN sub objectives of the national strategy and the Strategic Environmental Assessment objectives which have influenced the development of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Objectives (LFRMS 1-11). The indicators for these measures and outcomes are listed in Figure 1.6. The options associated with these measures and their assessment of impacts, are explained the Environmental Report. The application of measures will be based on a high level risk based approach and analysis of the highest risk areas across the Borough and listed within Figure 1.9.

The first two objectives of the National Strategy relate to the reduction of consequences for individuals and communities from flood risk and raising awareness and understanding. They are objectives which require partnership working from different Flood Risk Management Authorities given the responsibilities for the management of different sources of flood risk, with the Environment Agency having an oversight role for all sources of flood risk

The Welsh Government is responsible for the lead on sub objective one measures with the involvement and assistance of other relevant stakeholders. These measures underpin many of the measures within the four over arching objectives and the other ten sub objectives of the National Strategy.

The sub objectives, two to four with the exception of coastal erosion maps and Shoreline Management Plans, directly influence Local Flood Risk Management Strategies Measures and Outcomes one to eleven. In the same way as the National Strategy, the outcomes one to six from the local strategy will influence measures and options. All risk management authorities and relevant stakeholders will have to have due regard and a duty to act in a manner which is consistent with the national and local flood and coastal risk management strategies.

The sub objectives together with the Strategic Environmental Assessment objectives have influenced the Wrexham Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Measures set out within each section.



National Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategy Objective 1 and 2:

Reducing the consequences for individuals, communities, businesses and the environment from flooding and coastal erosion;

Raising awareness of and engaging people in the response to flood and coastal erosion risk;

Figure 1.10 National sub objectives 1-6 National Sub Objective

Measures

1. Provide Strategic Leadership and

a. The provision of overarching national policies for the management of flood and coastal erosion risk through a National Strategy and associated guidance.

Direction at a National level;

b. The provision of national guidance relating to sustainable development, when exercising flood and coastal erosion risk management functions. c. The provision of national guidance on the preparation of Local Flood Risk Management Strategies by Lead Local Flood Authorities. d. Development of a toolkit to assist in raising community Authorities awareness and preparation for of flood and coastal erosion risk. e. Development of National Standard for Sustainable Drainage Systems and accompanying guidance. f. Undertaking of a review of national policies in relation to coastal risk management including research on the options for communities facing increasing levels of risk. g. Development of a national funding policy and prioritisation methodology for the assessment of applications for funding for all flood and coastal erosion risk management activities funded from the Welsh Government. h. Establishment of a principle for ensuring access to buildings and contents flood insurance to replace the Statement of Principles. i. Drafting and commencement of legislation relating to flood and coastal erosion risk management as required through the life of this Strategy. j. Raising awareness of the implications of flood and erosion risk across all business sectors over the life of this Strategy. k. Delivery of a Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge Transfer Programme

2. Provide a Strategic Leadership and Direction at a local level;

a. Delivery of a coastal erosion map for Wales;

b. Delivery of the second round of Shoreline Management Plans by 2012 with proportionate implementation over the life of the Strategy c. Development of the National Habitats Creation Programme as part of delivery of the Natural Environment Framework.



d. Development of Local Flood Risk Management Strategies. e. Implementation of statutory responsibilities including those set out within the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and the Flood Risk Regulations. f. Appropriate mapping of all sources of flood risk.

g. Proportionate implementation of the Catchment Flood Management Plans over the life of the Strategy.

3. Develop Policies for effective land use management and enhances development control procedures where appropriate;

a. Development of Local Development Plans that include adequate provisions in respect of flood and coastal erosion risk. b. Compliance with the requirements of Planning Policy Wales and relevant Technical Advice Notes c. Provision of appropriate advice on flood and coastal erosion risk in relation to planning applications.

d. Appropriate undertaking of Strategic Flood Consequence Assessments and their use to inform Local Development Plans. e. Approval and adoption of SuDS drainage systems by the SuDS Approving and Adopting Body. Provision of advice and guidance on appropriate land use management.

4. Establish regular maintenance schedules fir flood and coastal risk management assets

a. Development of a register of natural and manmade structures or features likely to have an effect on flood risk by 2014.

b. Establishment of a programme of regular and appropriate maintenance for flood and coastal erosion risk management assets. c. Designation of natural and manmade structures or features likely to have an effect on flood or coastal erosion risk over the life of the Strategy.

5. Ensure that by 2026 everyone who lives in a flood risk area understands the flood risk they are subject to, the consequences of this risk and how to live with that risk

a. Continuation and development of Flood Awareness Wales.

b. Programme of community based awareness and engagement activities, utilising the Flood Risk Management Community Engagement Toolkit. c. Identification of at risk groups within communities, including vulnerable individuals. d. Development of a national Single Point of Contact for queries relating to flood risk.

e. Continuation and expansion of the Flood line Warning Direct Service over the life of the Strategy.

6. Enhance property and community level resilience

a. Ensure property level flood resilience measures and the requirements for SuDS are incorporated into Building Regulations. b. Enhanced awareness of property level resilience measures and guidance on their use. c. Development of a sustainable methodology for funding individual property level resilience measures. d. Provision of appropriate warnings in relation to all sources of flooding



Local strategy measures will require cross department communications, coordination and use of central database and mapping using geographical information systems (GIS). The mapping of baseline data on flooding events formed the basis of the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (2011) and whilst there are significant limitations to this data. This information has informed the use of locally significant threshold of 200 people or 20 non residential or business properties or one critical infrastructure. And whilst it does not meet the current threshold of the PFRA that requires the publication of Hazard Maps. Section 2 and 3 of the Flood Risk Regulations will require the publication of flood risk maps and flood risk management plan.

The principles of good development planning management will need to consider a number of issues relating to TAN 5: which are relevant to the Dee River Basin District, including housing locations, sustainable drainage systems, reducing the physical impacts of urban development, flood risk, sewage treatment options, initiatives to reduce flow to sewage works, water efficiency measures and the reduction of nutrients from diffuse pollution. These will need to include project level protected species surveys and assessment for developments in close proximity to the river and its tributaries should include the potential effects on otters.

Development proposals and plans will need to understand the issues of surface water flooding and the importance of maintaining greenfield run off rates and making space for water, and water sensitive design. Understanding the issues associated with windfall developments and urban creep and taking account of the ministerial changes to call in powers for flood risk area development Circular 07/12. In Wales there are no SWMP but we do have Preliminary Flood Risk Assessments and they should inform the precautionary approach of TAN15. Information and internal consultations on issues relating to local flood risk will form important part of the analysis for development control decisions and forthcoming local development plan within the context of Planning Policy Wales, relevant Technical Advice Notes and Mineral Planning Policy Guidance Notes.

Welsh Government is currently reviewing the Buildings Regulations approval process. Code for Sustainable Homes scoring and appraisal system for SUR1 and SUR 2 was amended following the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, but these are non mandatory credits, and not currently required by current system. The new system should incorporate the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM standards and ensure SUR1 and SUR2 are re classified as mandatory. Section 42 of the Floods and Water Management Act Section 42 of the 2010 Act inserts section 106B into the Water Industry Act 1991 (“the 1991 Act”). Section 106B provides that a person may only exercise the right, under section 106(1) of the 1991 Act, to have his drains or sewers communicate with public sewers only if the conditions set out in section 106B(2) and (3) of that Act have been satisfied. These conditions include a requirement for the person to, prior to the construction of a sewer or lateral drain, enter into an agreement with the relevant sewerage undertaker under section 104 of the 1991 Act for the adoption of the sewer or lateral drain.

Wrexham is a strategic County within Wales and the UK and has a diverse range of material assets, which includes its natural and diverse landscape, agriculture



and tourism. Wrexham County Borough’s transport infrastructure is critical to the local, national and international scale of goods, services and population. All of Wrexham’s assets have the potential to be affected by flooding to varying degrees. The increasing demand for housing and economic growth has the potential to exacerbate flood risk in areas if it is not planned and designed to take full regard of the risks and management approaches within the local strategy. It is important that new assets of sustainable drainage are built to national standards and designed and maintained as part of the flood risk asset management system.

The geographical mapping information (GIS) of local flood risk will assist the identification of listed buildings and architectural features and archaeological features. By identifying these constraints, the strategy will not conflict with objectives of preserving and enhancing the historical character and appearance of these areas. Flood management proposals will be designed to maintain and/or enhance the character of townscapes, cultural heritage and assets within Wrexham County Borough. Historic Assets including listed buildings, scheduled ancient monuments, conservation areas, registered parks and archaeological features will be identified by cross referencing against mapped local flood risk areas. Consultation with relevant bodies will be carried out at project development stage to ensure that changes and alterations to flood regimes will not adversely affect historic sites and their settings. The strategy could reduce flood risk to designated heritage features or lead to improved access to historic environment sites which would benefit local communities and economy. The development of a targeted flood warning system will ensure that infrastructure and assets affected by flood risk are given specific warnings on anticipated flood events. Limited costs are associated and increase benefits through preparedness and resilience will ensure less time is taken to recover and less costs are incurred.

Wrexham County Borough Council will seek to manage flood risk to critical infrastructure and material assets across the County. The options in the LFRMS may change the frequency and extent of flooding leading to consequent changes (positive and negative) in the use of land and affecting its versatility and productivity. The strategy also has the potential to both benefit and compromise access to mineral resources and extraction and fisheries and degrade soil quality or function which could affect future land use. Tourism is important component of Wrexham County Borough economy and the LFRMS has the potential to affect the landscape, which is an important attraction for tourists to the area. There are 22 wards within the County Borough that are rural and the CFMP (2009) associates flood risk to rural areas of Bangor on Dee, Holt and Farndon and urban areas adjoining rural areas such as Cefn Mawr and New Broughton. Identification of these areas and understanding the risk is important to the identification of natural approaches. This can include the use of targeted woodland buffers along mid slope or down slope field edges or infiltration basins and wider woodland planting within the landscape as referred in the Woodland for Water; Woodland measures for meeting Water Framework Directive Objectives.

Green Infrastructure forms an important role for the sustainable development of North East Wales, Cheshire and Wirral area. The Green Infrastructure Action Plan for the Lower River Dee demonstrates how river corridors including rivers canals and streams together with rail corridors, verges, hedgerows, ditches and cycling routes, pedestrian pathways and rights of way form one element of green infrastructure. Its evidence base shows how that by identifying areas of flood risk, April 2013 Version 3.1 32


and mapping them against green spaces, initiatives for investment and improvements can be identified. It provides evidence of existing initiatives within the regional area which includes Stamford Brook and Northern Gateway which demonstrate the principles of this policy approach to Lower River Dee and actions required. This action plan forms one of two areas that have been prioritised for green infrastructure investment under the Green Infrastructure Framework.

Natural approaches to flood risk management is more sustainable and cost effective than hard engineering defences and can bring added benefits to wildlife and amenity to regenerated areas and urban spaces. The Environment Agency has conducted research and there evidence to demonstrate the benefits of this approach. Natural approaches can include techniques which use land to temporarily store water away from high risk areas, reconnect rivers to floodplains, lengthening watercourses to a more natural alignment, restoring peat bogs, blocking artificial drainage channels, reforesting floodplains, green roofs, permeable paving, and surface water attenuation ponds

Improvements to the collection of data onto a single mapping system for the local authority ensures that different functions take account or have regard to local flood risk and their interrelatedness. That will facilitate the analysis and monitoring of flood event patterns in relation to existing assets and infrastructure. Highlighting repeat issues or issues in regards to maintenance. The development of an annual asset maintenance schedule will ensure that the required ordinary watercourse consents will be scheduled and pre-application discussions can limit the issues in regards to design, ecology or proposed methods involved. The investigation process and asset register can reduce costs associated with flood damage from flood events and reduce the costs from repetitive actions which do not resolve the issues associated with the source of the flooding. Small measures, that could save long term higher costs associated with the continued flood risk we can anticipate from Climate Changes.

The Lead Local Flood Authority has permissive power to designate structures which affect flood risk so the owners can not alter or remove the structures. This designation procedure is assessed and has to satisfy four conditions for the consideration of formal designation. These four conditions are; Condition 1: that the designating authority thinks the existence or location of the structure or feature affects a flood risk or coastal erosion risk; Condition 2: that the designating authority has flood or coastal erosion risk management functions in respect of the risk which is affected; Condition 3: that the structure or feature is not already designated by another authority; Condition 4: that the owner of the structure or feature is not a designating authority;

Designation and asset maintenance can reduce the consequences and improve the approaches of flood risk management within the Borough. The flooding events that have occurred this year 2012-2013 within the Borough Council have varied in size and caused different patterns of events. In April prolonged and heavy rainfall caused problems associated with surface water run off and river flooding alerts in Acrefair and Rossett. The events in July and August were associated with surface water flooding and flash flooding in urban villages of Gwersyllt, Gresford, Marford, Llay and Burton Green. In September, flooding events covered the borough



causing surface water and river flooding to the Alyn and surrounding farmland around Holt, Farndon and Rossett.

These events cause incidents of flooding and all these have to record a list of basic information in regards to the location, source, extent, response and follow up actions required. For flood investigations that affect one internal business or residential property, or four or more properties that constitutes a near miss requires a flood investigation report under section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. This information gathering and collation of recommendations is important to resolving the flood risk issues, improving resilience and identifying assets significantly affected by flood risk. The costs associated with collating this information relates to existing roles of the Environment Street Scene Supervisors. It is the role of the Flood and Water Management Officer to investigate the flood events which meet the trigger for an investigation. The long term benefits will reduce the response costs associated in dealing with flood event, issuing sandbags and involvement in the clean up.

The recording and collating information on flood risk and understanding the flood risk areas across the Borough can facilitate the use of natural approaches to flood risk management. Natural approaches which utilise areas of inundation and water storage within the wider river catchments provide important ways to solve the part of the issues of the amenity, quantity and quality approaches and source control of the flood risk management train approach. An identification and use of these areas may involve higher costs because of land acquisition and maintenance, but these areas may also save costs associated with flood damages caused by surface run off further downstream and within largely urban areas.

Under Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, there is provision for secondary legislation and guidance on the national standards for the design, construction, maintenance and operation of new rainwater drainage systems across England and Wales. Central to this is the appointment of a SUDS Approval Body (SAB) and the agreement of a set of national standards. These standards are based on established industry standards of CIRIA Manual for suds and Planning for Suds. The new “approving body” or SAB of the Lead Local Flood Authority will be required to approve the drainage system before work can start. Where the drainage system affects more than one property the “approving body” or SAB will also be required to adopt and maintain the system upon satisfactory completion conditions attached to the legislation.

Sustainable drainage systems are designed to address the problems associated with conventional drainage methods. SUDS drainage methods take into account quantity, quality and amenity issues related to surface water runoff and are considered to be more sustainable than the traditional drainage methods because they deal with runoff close to where the rain falls, by managing potential pollution at its source now and in the future and protecting water resources from pollution, and because they;

° Manage runoff flow rates thus reducing the impact of urbanisation on flooding;

° Protect or enhance water quality; ° Enhance the environmental setting and can contribute towards to the

needs of the local community; April 2013 Version 3.1 34


° Provide useful habitats for wildlife; ° Encourage natural groundwater recharge

There are development schemes across the County Borough with some components of sustainable drainage. But not all these components have been successfully designed and maintenance and ownership remain key issues to address. Sustainable drainage applications will need to demonstrate how they have assessed the surface water management train, as shown in and compliance with the national standards. The strategy promotes the use of sustainable drainage systems because of their multifunctional benefits associated with amenity, biodiversity and wellbeing. This approach will ensure surface water run off is minimised, and this will ensure that developments do not contribute/increase flood risk associated with surface water. This in turn will alleviate the issues of soil erosion and habitat loss through changes in water levels and habitats. Source control measures and components will ensure that water is utilised and used more effectively.

Figure 1.11: The surface water management train: addressing runoff quantity and quality and amenity at different stages of the drainage system (Environment Agency)

There are existing strategies within the Council that can maximise the use of source control measures which include permeable paving and rainwater harvesting and landscaping schemes. Welsh Water have advised that we will never tackle the onset of surface water flooding issues associated with climate change without tackling the existing properties and places. These can at one level include the monitoring of rainwater harvesting systems or water butts for individual prop

Documents

Local Flood Risk Management Strategy April 2013old.wrexham.gov.uk/assets/pdfs/emergencies/lfrm/wrexham_lfrms.pdf · from the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and Flood Risk Regulations