1

South East River Basin District

Flood Risk Management Plan 2015 - 2021

PART A - Background and river basin district wide information

March 2016

Cover photos: Top – Aerial view of the River Arun at Arundel. Bottom – construction of Broomhill Sands Coastal Defence Scheme

Published by:

Environment Agency Horizon House, Deanery Road, Bristol BS1 5AH Email: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk www.gov.uk/environment-agency

© Environment Agency 2016

All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced with prior permission of the Environment Agency.

Further copies of this report are available from our publications catalogue: www.gov.uk/government/publications

or our National Customer Contact Centre: T: 03708 506506

Email: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.

South East River Basin District

Flood Risk Management Plan 2015 - 2021

December 2015

This is a joint plan prepared by the following risk management authorities:

Foreword The 2013/14 and 2015/16 winter storms and flooding had significant impacts on some communities, businesses, infrastructure, rural areas and the environment. Evidence suggests there could be more extremes in the weather with a changing climate leading to more frequent and more severe flooding. During December 2015, Storms Desmond, Eva and Frank brought record breaking rainfall levels and significant flooding to some parts of the UK. Over 19,000 homes and businesses were flooded, with thousands more affected by loss of power supply and travel disruption. Existing flood defences played an essential part in protecting thousands of homes during December with 12,500 benefitting during Storm Desmond and 10,900 during Storm Eva. Support is in place for affected communities, business and the agricultural sector, along with a programme of inspections and repairs to damaged defences. These December 2015 flood events have emphasised the need to be sure we have the very best possible plans in place for flood management across the whole country.

Risk Management Authorities (RMAs) are committed to producing Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) required by the EU Floods Directive. This FRMP is an important part of meeting that objective and aligns with the Defra Strategy and guiding principles of the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy.

The FRMP will provide the evidence to support decision making. The FRMP will also help promote a greater awareness and understanding of the risks of flooding, particularly in those communities at high risk, and encourage and enable householders, businesses and communities to take action to manage the risks. The highest priority is to reduce risk to life.

Measures (actions) in individual FRMPs do not all have secured funding and are not guaranteed to be implemented. Money is allocated to all RMA measures in the same way, based on current Government policy that gives the highest priority to lives and homes.

This FRMP brings together for the first time measures to address all sources of flooding in the South East. It is based on the most up-to-date information available at the point of publication. Measures in the FRMP are the starting point for RMA decision making and delivery. As part of on-going strategic planning additional measures will be included in RMAs and other partners work programmes between 2015 - 2021, although the FRMP will not be updated. FCRM strategic planning is a continuous process and informs RMA decision making and will be the basis for the 2nd cycle FRMPs.

This document has been produced in consultation with professional partners. The Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP) sets out the proposed measures to manage flood risk in the South East River Basin District from 2015 to 2021. This plan should be read in conjunction with the following:

Lead Local Flood Authority Local Strategies listed in Annex 1

In England, RMAs include the Environment Agency, Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs), district councils (where there are no unitary authorities), internal drainage boards, water companies and highway authorities. These RMAs work in partnership with communities to reduce the risk of flooding. The Environment Agency would like to thank the organisations listed on the previous pages for their contributions and feedback during consultation.

Flood risk in England will continue to change as a result of a growing population and a changing climate. There are many ways to manage flood risk including maintaining and building new flood defences, building flood resilient homes and working more closely with nature to restore flood plains. Flood risk management planning is not new and RMAs have been able to draw on the experience of partners and earlier plans.

Following the December 2015 floods, Defra announced a National Flood Resilience Review, to assess how the country can be better protected from future flooding and increasingly extreme weather events. The review is looking at climate modelling, infrastructure, resilience and future investment strategy. Government is also working to strengthen or establish partnerships in the areas most flood affected to encourage a more integrated approach to managing risk across the whole catchment. These partnerships are considering improvements to flood defences, upstream

options to help slow the flow and surface water runoff, and how planning and design of urban areas can help reduce flood risk. They are also aiming to build stronger links between local residents, community groups and flood management planning and decision making. The resulting actions from the Local Flood Partnerships in Cumbria and Yorkshire will complement the measures in the relevant FRMPs and the learning from this approach will be shared across the country. In England, the Government is investing £2.3bn on 1,500 flood defence schemes between 2015-2021. Investment in flood risk management infrastructure not only reduces the risks of flooding but also supports growth by helping to create new jobs, bringing confidence to areas previously affected by floods and creating and restoring habitats.

The FRMP also sets out how these proposed measures can contribute to improving the environment and how they support the objectives of River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) and specifically the South East RBMP that the Environment Agency has produced in parallel with this FRMP. Both flood risk management and river basin planning form an important part of a collaborative and integrated approach to catchment planning for water. Building on this essential work, and in the context of the Governments 25-year environment plan, we aim to move towards more integrated planning for the environment over the next cycle. This will be done on a catchment basis and will draw together and integrate objectives for flood risk management, water management, and biodiversity, with the aim of maximising the multiple benefits that can be achieved.

Howard Davidson

Director of Operations, South East

7

Contents

Glossary and abbreviations ......................................................................................................... 9

The format of the flood risk management plan ......................................................................... 11

1 What is flood risk and who manages it? ............................................................................... 13

What is the likelihood of this happening and what does this mean? .......................................... 13

Roles and responsibilities.......................................................................................................... 14

Existing flood management schemes and properties protected ................................................. 15

Flood risk information ................................................................................................................ 16

Flooding from river and the sea ................................................................................................. 16

Flooding from reservoirs............................................................................................................ 16

Flooding from surface water ...................................................................................................... 17

2 What is a flood risk management plan? ................................................................................ 18

What is the flood risk management plan for?............................................................................. 18

Why are flood risk management plans being prepared? ............................................................ 18

What the plan does ................................................................................................................... 18

What types of flood risk are included in the flood risk management plan? ................................. 20

3 How the plan has been developed? ...................................................................................... 23

The approach to developing flood risk management plans ........................................................ 23

Consultation and engagement .................................................................................................. 24

Objective setting ....................................................................................................................... 24

Six year investment programme ................................................................................................ 24

Long-term investment scenarios (LTIS) ..................................................................................... 25

Flood and coastal risk management and agriculture ................................................................. 25

Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulations................................................ 25

How flood risk management plans have been co-ordinated with river basin management

planning .................................................................................................................................... 26

4 How to manage risk ............................................................................................................... 27

National flood and coastal erosion risk management strategy for England ................................ 27

Measures for managing risk ...................................................................................................... 28

Flood risk management activities .............................................................................................. 28

Working with communities ......................................................................................................... 30

Partnership working .................................................................................................................. 30

Catchment based approach ...................................................................................................... 31

Internal Drainage Boards .......................................................................................................... 32

5 Getting to know the South East river basin district ............................................................. 33

8

Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 33

Water ........................................................................................................................................ 35

Flood risk management systems and drainage ......................................................................... 35

Climate and climate change adaptation ..................................................................................... 36

Coastal erosion risk management ............................................................................................. 37

Society and health..................................................................................................................... 38

Land use ................................................................................................................................... 38

Economic activity ...................................................................................................................... 40

Recreation and tourism ............................................................................................................. 40

Infrastructure ............................................................................................................................. 40

Landscape ................................................................................................................................ 41

Biodiversity ............................................................................................................................... 41

Cultural Heritage ....................................................................................................................... 42

Geology .................................................................................................................................... 42

Soil ............................................................................................................................................ 42

6 Key flood risk issues in the South East river basin district ................................................. 43

Flood History ............................................................................................................................. 43

Flood risk from rivers and the sea ............................................................................................. 48

Flood risk from reservoirs .......................................................................................................... 54

Flood risk from surface water .................................................................................................... 58

Flood risk from groundwater ...................................................................................................... 63

Flood risk from canals ............................................................................................................... 63

Flood risk from sewers .............................................................................................................. 63

7 Sub-areas in the South East river basin district .................................................................. 65

Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 65

Flood Risk Areas ....................................................................................................................... 65

Management catchments .......................................................................................................... 65

8 Conclusions, objectives and measures to manage risk for the South East river basin

district .......................................................................................................................................... 67

Conclusions .............................................................................................................................. 67

Objectives to manage risk for the South East river basin district ............................................... 70

Measures across the South East river basin district .................................................................. 71

Flood risk management plan contributing to broader benefits ................................................... 74

9 Implementing the plan ............................................................................................................ 80

The catchment based approach ................................................................................................ 80

Monitoring delivery of measures ................................................................................................ 80

9

Glossary and abbreviations

AONB Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

BAP Biodiversity Action Plan

Catchment The watershed of a surface water river system

CaBA Catchment based approach: an approach to environmental planning that focuses on local engagement and partnerships

CFMP Catchment Flood Management Plan

Coastal Groups Voluntary coastal defence groups made up of maritime district authorities and other bodies with coastal defence responsibilities.

DCLG Department for Communities and Local Government

Defra Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

EA Environment Agency

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

EPR Environmental Protection Regulations

EU European Union

FCERM Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management

FCRM Flood and Coastal Risk Management

Floods Directive The European Floods Directive (2007/60/EC) on the assessment and management of flood risks.

Flood Risk Area (FRA)

Areas where the risk of flooding from local flood risks is significant as designated under the Flood Risk Regulations.

FRMP Flood Risk Management Plan – plan produced to deliver the requirements of the Flood Risk Regulations.

Government The term government is used within this report to refer to Defra (the Department for Environment, Flood and Rural Affairs) and Welsh Government.

Groundwater flooding

Occurs when water levels in the ground rise above the natural surface. Low-lying areas underlain by permeable strata are particularly susceptible.

Ha Hectares

HRA Habitats Regulations Assessment: an assessment undertaken in relation to a site designated under the Habitats and Birds Directives

IDB Internal drainage board

IDD Internal drainage district

km Kilometres

LDF Local Development Framework

LLFA Lead Local Flood Authority

Local FRM Strategy

Local flood risk management strategy produced by LLFAs under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

Main river A watercourse shown as such on the main river map, and for which the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales has responsibilities and powers

MTP Medium Term Plan

10

MSFW Making Space for Water

NaFRA National Flood Risk Assessment

National FCERM Strategy

National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy: these are strategies prepared under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, by the Environment Agency for England and by Welsh Government for Wales.

NNR National Nature Reserve

NPPF National Planning Policy Framework

NRW Natural Resources Wales. The NRW took over the functions of the Environment Agency in Wales on 1 April 2013.

Ordinary watercourses (OW)

All watercourses that are not designated main river, and which are the responsibility of local councils or, where they exist, Internal Drainage Boards.

PFRA Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment – these were required to be published by December 2011 and were the first stage in delivering the Regulations.

Ramsar Wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention

Reservoir A natural or artificial lake where water is collected and stored until needed. Reservoirs can be used for irrigation, recreation, providing water supply for municipal needs, hydroelectric power or controlling water flow.

Risk management authorities (RMAs)

Organisations that have a key role in flood and coastal erosion risk management as defined by the Act. These are the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, lead local flood authorities, district councils where there is no unitary authority, internal drainage boards, water companies, and highways authorities.

RFCCs Regional Flood and Coastal Committees

River Basin District (RBD)

These are the reporting units to the European Commission for the Water Framework Directive and the Floods Directive.

RBMP River Basin Management Plan – plan required by the European Water Framework Directive.

River flooding Occurs when water levels in a channel overwhelms the capacity of the channel.

SAC Special Area of Conservation

SAM Scheduled Ancient Monument

SAMP System Asset Management Plan

SEA Strategic environmental assessment

SFRA Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

SMP Shoreline Management Plan

SPA Special Protection Area

SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest

SuDS Sustainable Drainage Systems

Surface water flooding

Flooding from rainwater (including snow and other precipitation) which has not entered a watercourse, drainage system or public sewer.

SWMP Surface Water Management Plan

uFMfSW Updated Flood Map for Surface Water Flooding produced in 2013

UKCIP United Kingdom Climate Impact Projections

WFD Water Framework Directive

11

The format of the flood risk management plan Flood risk management plans have been divided into 4 sections to help readers identify and access information relevant to them. This is Part A.

Name Audience

Summary Document For those who a high level overview of the plan

Part A: Background and river basin district wide information

For those who need some legislative background and river basin district wide, high level information

Part B: Catchment Summaries For those who want the detail of the sub-areas and flooding statistics. This section includes the catchments based on Water Framework Directive (WFD) management catchments, Flood Risk Areas (identified through the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment) and other strategic areas across the river basin district.

Part C: Appendices For those who want to see the detailed program of work for individual communities

The other parts of the flood risk management plan are located on gov.uk (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/south-east-river-basin-district-flood-risk-management-plan)

The layout of this document

Section 1: what is flood risk and who manages it? This explains what flood risk is, who is responsible for managing the risk and what their roles are

Section 2: what is a flood risk management plan? This explains what a FRMP is, why risk management authorities are producing a FRMP and describes the kind of information that is included in the FRMP.

Section 3: how the plan has been developed This describes how, in partnership, the Environment Agency, LLFAs and other RMAs have prepared this FRMP.

Section 4: how to manage risk

This describes some of the terminology used, such as ’conclusions’, ’objectives’ and ‘measures’, and how they relate to flood and coastal erosion risk management.

12

Section 5: getting to know the river basin district This section of the plan introduces the South East river basin district. It also introduce the ‘sub-areas’ that divide the area further.

Section 6: key flood risk issues in the river basin district The flood and coastal erosion risks are set out for the river basin district in section 6.

Section 7: the sub-areas

This section introduces each of the sub-areas in turn. This section outlines the catchments based on WFD management catchments, which make up the river basin district, then the FRAs (identified through the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment) across the river basin district.

Section 8: conclusions, objectives and measures This sets out the risk conclusions, objectives and measures for the river basin district.

Section 9: implementing the plan, monitoring and reporting This sets out the proposals for implementing the plan, including how the actions will be co-ordinated with the river basin management plans prepared under the WFD. Section 9 concludes with how the measures will be monitored and reported.

Find out more

Throughout this document you will be directed via hyperlinks to more detailed sources of information using 'find out more’ boxes.

13

Part A

1 What is flood risk and who manages it? The Flood and Water Management Act (2010) defines flooding as any case where land not normally covered by water becomes covered by water. Flood risk is a combination of two components: the chance (or probability/ likelihood) that a location will flood from any source or type of flooding, and the impact (or consequence) that the flooding would cause if it occurred. Flood risk management is generally concerned with reducing harm, which may be damage to property or physical injury to people and wildlife. However, flooding can also have beneficial effects too, in particular for wetland wildlife as well as some types of agriculture that are water dependent.

=

x

Figure 1: What is flood risk?

Risk captures the severity, or related consequences of, a flood event. Impacts can be social, economic and environmental, for example the number of properties flooded and the level of associated economic damages. The consequences of a flood depend on the level of exposure and the vulnerability of those affected.

What is the likelihood of this happening and what does this mean? Probability (or chance) is a measure of the likelihood of a defined event occurring. The probability of a flood event is typically defined as the relative frequency of occurrence of that flood being equalled or exceeded. Probability can be expressed as a fraction, percentage, a decimal or description, and should always make reference to a time period. For example, the industry refers to a ‘1 in 100 chance of flooding in any given year’ or a ‘1% annual probability of flooding’, which both refer to the same likelihood.

Assessing the impacts of flooding prior to an event usually involves estimating the potential impact of flooding on people, property and the environment. The theoretical probability of flooding is illustrated by the Environment Agency Flood Maps which show flood risk for rivers and the sea, surface water and reservoirs. Flood models which are the basis for the flood maps use a uniform rainfall scenario (the same amount of rainfall falling across the country), whereas in reality rainfall rates vary greatly from one town to another.

It is not possible to prevent all flooding, but there are a variety of actions which can help manage these risks and their impacts on communities. Flood risk managers must identify all potential options to manage flood risk and balance the needs of communities, the economy and the environment. Risk management authorities should work in partnership with each other and communities to manage flood risk, ensuring that communities are part of the decision making process and understand and actively prepare for the risks. By working together risk management authorities should actively seek opportunities to co-ordinate risk management, encourage partnership funding and deliver multiple benefits.

Impact Likelihood Risk

14

Roles and responsibilities Tables 1 and 2 show the RMAs involved in flood risk management in England and their roles and responsibilities.

Table 1: Summary of responsibilities for risk management authorities

The responsibilities for managing flooding in the UK is divided between different risk management authorities (RMAs) as defined in the Flood and Water Management Act. RMAs have powers and duties to manage the different forms for flooding that can occur as shown in Table 1. The Environment Agency is responsible for taking a strategic overview of the management of all sources of flooding and coastal erosion. Following the December 2015 floods Defra is looking at how this strategic overview role can be strengthened at the catchment scale to promote a more integrated approach to managing the water environment.

*Please note RMAs have different responsibilities for reservoirs such as regulation, asset management and flood incident response

Risk Source Environment

Agency

Lead Local

Flood

Authority

District/

Borough

Councils

Water

Company

Highways

Authority

Internal

Drainage

Board

Main River

Sea flooding

Surface Water

Surface Water (on or

coming from the

Highway)

Sewer Flooding

Ordinary

Watercourse

Groundwater

Reservoirs * * * * * *

Coastal Erosion

Strategic overview of

all sources of flood

risk (and the coast)

15

Table 2: Roles and responsibilities of risk management authorities and others involved in managing flood risk

Organisation Roles and Responsibilities

Environment Agency The Environment Agency has a strategic overview of all sources of flooding and coastal erosion (rivers, the sea, groundwater, reservoirs and surface water). Permissive powers to manage flood risk from ‘main rivers’, the sea and reservoirs. Can use enforcement powers to require landowners to take action to minimise flood risk to others.

Lead local flood authorities

LLFA. A county council or unitary council. Permissive powers to manage flood risk from surface water, ‘ordinary watercourses’ (non-main rivers) outside of internal drainage districts, and groundwater. Enforcement powers are similar to Environment Agency’s. LLFAs also manage the drainage on the majority of local highways.

Water companies Southern Water Services, South East Water, Portsmouth Water and Affinity Water manage the sewerage and water supply networks and any flood risk arising from them. Also manage flood risk to any critical infrastructure, such as water treatment plants and pumping stations.

District Council or Borough Council

By agreement with the upper tier lead local flood authority, the District Council may do some work to manage flood risk. District councils are the Local Planning Authority.

Maritime District Council

As district councils, but also manage coastal erosion. As many coastal defences protect against both erosion and flooding from the sea, these Councils often do both in urban areas.

Highways England Highways England looks after the motorways and major A roads focussing on the most important national routes, while councils manage the roads serving local communities. Having information about the condition of drainage assets they hold a Drainage Data Management System (also known as HADDMS) to identify flooding issues and places at particular risk, including private property, supporting a risk based programme of drainage renewal works.

Navigation Authorities Canal and River Trust (CRT) manage the canal network throughout the river basin district. Although not a designated RMA, CRT manages its network in a way that minimises the risk of flooding.

Riparian landowner The owner of land next to a watercourse usually owns the land to the middle of the river (unless property deeds show otherwise). This ‘riparian landowner’ is responsible for maintaining the watercourse to allow free flow.

Communities Individuals at risk from flooding, or having flooded, are encouraged to form a Flood Action Group or other Community Group to help understand the issues, considering improvement options and implementing solutions.

Non- RMA owners of flood defences

Features and structures that have been designated as a flood defence cannot be altered, removed or replaced without the consent of the responsible authority.

Reservoir owners In addition to their general duty of care for the public under common law, the owners of reservoirs with an above-ground capacity of 25,000 cubic metres or more have a legal duty to have their reservoirs supervised and inspected regularly by experts, in order to prevent dam failures and the dangerous flooding that could result. Reservoir owners could fall into any of the above categories listed in the table.

Existing flood management schemes and properties protected Risk management authorities work in partnership with each other and communities to manage flood risk. The Flood risk management plan sets out the current and proposed measures to manage flood risk across the South East river basin district. However, risk management authorities have been undertaking a range of activities to manage flood risk for many years. Details of these activities can be found in section 6.

16

In some parts of the South East river basin district flood management schemes are in place to reduce flood risk. The Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning shows all flood defences built in the last five years to protect against river floods with a 1 per cent (1 in 100) chance of happening each year, or floods from the sea with a 0.5 per cent (1 in 200) chance of happening each year. It also shows some, but not all, older defences. Recent flood risk management schemes include:

Across the country Government is investing £2.3bn on 1,500 flood defence schemes over 2015 – 2021. Thousands of properties in the river basin district benefit from river flood risk management schemes, including homes and businesses in Lewes, Littlehampton, Margate, Sandwich, Herne Bay, Medmerry and Hayling Island. Further schemes are ongoing or planned in the South East river basin district, including Broomhill Sands coastal defence scheme, Jury’s Gap tidal basin refurbishment, Shoreham Adur tidal walls scheme and Newhaven flood alleviation scheme. The Local Flood Partnerships in Cumbria and Yorkshire, set up in response to the December floods will bring together a wide range of organisations and communities to develop Flood Action Plans. These actions will complement the measures in the FRMP and the learning from this approach will be shared across the country.

During December 2015 existing flood defences played an essential part in protecting thousands of homes with 12,500 benefitting during Storm Desmond and 10,900 during Storm Eva. This also provided vital time for homes and businesses to be evacuated as well as reducing the impacts. Additional temporary defences and pumps were deployed to reduce the risk to homes, businesses and infrastructure. A recovery programme of inspections and repairs to damaged defences was commenced as soon as water levels reduced.

Supporting Communities that Remain at Risk is an Environment Agency project to pre-plan for the use of temporary defences. This project is a great opportunity to have prepared plans and equipment for more communities to maximise the use of the extra time flood forecasting investment has bought us in helping to protect them.

Flood risk information The South East flood risk management plan discusses flood risk from rivers, the sea, reservoirs and surface water (Flood Risk Areas only – as identified in Preliminary Flood Risk Assessments (PFRAs)). The following section provides explanation for the flood risk classifications that are included.

Flooding from river and the sea The maps and statistics within this plan relating to flooding from rivers and the sea are taken from the risk of flooding from rivers and the sea map. This map has been developed using the National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA). This is an assessment of flood risk for England and Wales produced using local data and expertise. It shows the chance of flooding from rivers and the sea (both along the open coast and tidal estuaries). The risk is presented as a likelihood (or chance) of flooding in any given year and divided into the following categories:

High - greater than or equal to 1 in 30 (3.3%) chance in any given year

Medium - less than 1 in 30 (3.3%) but greater than or equal to 1 in 100 (1%) chance in any given year

Low - less than 1 in 100 (1%) but greater than or equal to 1 in 1000 (0.1%) chance in any given year

Very low - less than 1 in 1000 (0.1%) chance in any given year.

The NaFRA takes flood defences and their condition into account and so describes the actual chance of flooding, rather than the chance if there were no defences present. Flood defences reduce the level of risk but don't completely remove it. In extreme weather they can be overtopped or fail if they are in poor condition. The NaFRA results can be used in conjunction with receptor

17

data (number and type of properties and infrastructure) to estimate the consequences and economic damage associated with flooding from rivers and the sea.

Flooding from reservoirs The maps and statistics within this plan relating to risk from reservoirs are taken from the reservoir flood risk map. This map shows the areas that could be flooded if a large reservoir were to fail and release the water it holds. A large reservoir is one that holds over 25,000 cubic metres. Since this is a worst case scenario, it’s unlikely that any actual flood would be this large.

Flooding from surface water The maps and statistics within this plan relating to risk from surface water are based on the updated Flood Map for Surface Water (uFMfSW) published in December 2013. These are only included within this plan for the Brighton and Hove Flood Risk Area for which there is a statutory duty to do so. Other surface water information has been included by lead local flood authorities on a voluntary basis. For more detailed information on surface water flood risk you should refer to the relevant local flood risk management strategy. The risk is presented in flood risk likelihood categories, which indicate the chance of flooding in any given year (annual probability of flooding is shown in brackets):

High - greater than or equal to 1 in 30 (3.3%) chance in any given year

Medium - less than 1 in 30 (3.3%) but greater than or equal to 1 in 100 (1%) chance in any given year

Low - less than 1 in 100 (1%) but greater than or equal to 1 in 1000 (0.1%) chance in any given year.

The uFMfSW replaced the ‘Areas Susceptible to Surface Water Flooding’ maps produced in 2010 by the Environment Agency.

18

2 What is a flood risk management plan?

Flood risk management plans highlight the hazards and risks from rivers, the sea, surface water, groundwater and reservoirs and set out how risk management authorities (RMAs) will work together with communities to manage flood risk.

What is the flood risk management plan for? Flood risk management plans (FRMPs) are produced every 6 years and describe the sources and risks of flooding within a river basin district and catchment. They also include information on how risk management authorities (RMAs) plan to work together with communities and businesses to manage and reduce flood risk. Over the 6 year planning cycle the FRMP will help promote a greater awareness and understanding of the risks of flooding, particularly in those communities at high risk, and encourage and enable householders, businesses and communities to take action to manage the risks. FRMPs along with river basin management plans (RBMPs) help all those involved in managing water to make decisions that are best for people and the environment.

Why are flood risk management plans being prepared? This is the first cycle of implementing the Flood Risk Regulations 2009. As a result of this legislation, LLFAs must prepare FRMPs in Flood Risk Areas, where the risk of flooding from local sources is significant (as identified in Preliminary Flood Risk Assessments) for instance from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. The Environment Agency is required to prepare FRMPs for all of England covering flooding from main rivers, the sea and reservoirs. Further information on what is a flood risk management plan can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Flood risk and coastal erosion management activities require careful planning to ensure that appropriate, sustainable options are selected and that they are implemented properly. Actions should be planned effectively for the long-term, and provide a clear picture of what will be done to manage risk and provide multiple benefits. This may include, for example, linking with other plans such as river basin management plans (RBMPs) and supporting biodiversity, habitat creation or improving water quality. The Environment Agency and lead local flood authorities are developing FRMPs by drawing existing information together and building on existing flood and coastal erosion risk management plans such as: catchment flood management plans (CFMPs), Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) and local flood risk management strategies (LFRMS) (see Figure 2).

What the plan does The flood risk management plans will help deliver the requirements of the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy in England by setting out the measures to manage flood risk now and in the future. The FRMPs will:

Help develop and promote a better understanding of flood and coastal erosion risk

Provide information about the economic and environmental benefits to inform decision makers

Identify communities with the highest risk of flooding (Flood Risk Areas) so that investment can be targeted at those in most need

Not all measures / actions in FRMPs have secured funding and so are not guaranteed to be implemented. Money is allocated to all RMA measures in the same way and is based on current Government policy that gives the highest priority to lives and homes.

19

Figure 2: Flood risk management plans and their relationship to other planning initiatives (taken from the National FCERM Strategy for England)

National FCERM Policy (Defra) Planning Policy and Building

Regulations (DCLG)

National FCERM

Strategy (England)

Catchment flood risk

and coastal erosion

management planning

(CFMPs, SMPs)

Long term planning for

all sources of flood risk

& coastal erosion

Local FCERM Strategies

FCERM Schemes

The planning system

(local plans,

neighbourhood

plans)

Planning applications

and decisions

Strategic flood risk

assessments

Flood risk

assessments

Sustainable

community strategies

/ local strategic

partnerships

EU DIRECTIVES

Floods Directive

Flood Risk

Management Plans

Water Framework Dir

River Basin

Management Plans

Other relevant plans

Infrastructure

management plans

Surface Water

Management Plans/

water level

management plans

Habitat Creation

Programme

20

What types of flood risk are included in the flood risk management plan? The FRMP covers the flood risks that risk management authorities (RMAs) are responsible for. Local surface water risk information is only included where lead local flood authorities have a statutory duty to produce a FRMP or where they have volunteered information. Those that are included are detailed in Table 3 and Table 4.

Areas of significant ‘local flood risk’ were identified from historic flood records and analysis of potential future flooding from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. These ‘Flood Risk Areas’ were designated on the basis of there being at least 30,000 people in properties at risk of flooding, or 150 critical services (for example - schools, hospitals, nursing homes, power and water services). This was as shown by locally agreed surface water flood maps produced in 2010 by the Environment Agency and supplemented with data from lead local flood authorities where available.

The Environment Agency has worked in partnership with some lead local flood authorities to develop the FRMP. Brighton and Hove City Council have a statutory duty to produce a FRMP as they have the designated Brighton and Hove Flood Risk Area within their boundary. However, in some catchments not all local flood risk information is included. The lead local flood authorities who have voluntarily contributed information to the FRMP are listed in Table 4.

Southern Water Services is a risk management authority and are responsible for sewer flooding. Their programme of work that covers sewer flood risk is separate to this plan. Southern Water Services is planning to work on drainage strategies in priority catchments. This will be a good opportunity for all risk management authorities to work together on flood risk management planning.

Table 3: Flood Risk Areas in South East river basin district (RMAs who have a statutory obligation to produce a FRMP)

Flood Risk Area Information Lead local flood authorities

Brighton and Hove Flood Risk Area Brighton and Hove City Council

Table 4: RMAs who have voluntarily provided information

Voluntary Information Lead local flood authorities

Lead local flood authorities * Brighton and Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council, Kent County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council, West Sussex County Council

* Where a lead local flood authority is not listed in this table, any actions to address flood risk will not be detailed in this plan. You should refer to their local strategies or plans for further information.

21

Find out more about flood risk management:

National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-flood-and-coastal-erosion-risk-management-strategy-for-england

Flood Risk Management Plan Guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flood-risk-management-plan-guidance

Flood and Coastal Change https://www.gov.uk/topic/environmental-management/flooding-coastal-change

Interactive flood maps http://maps.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby/wiybyController?ep=maptopics&lang=_e

22

Figure 3: Sources of flood risk information included in this FRMP

23

3 How the plan has been developed? The approach to developing flood risk management plans In 2013 the government agreed that the preferred approach to developing FRMPs would be for the Environment Agency to work in partnership with other risk management authorities, in particular lead local flood authorities, to pool information to develop an overall plan for managing all sources of flood risk and coastal erosion.

In preparing this FRMP, RMAs have built on relevant information from existing work (see Figure 2 and Table 5). Of particular importance are the local flood risk management strategies developed by LLFAs, catchment flood management plans (CFMPs) and shoreline management plans (SMPs). In drawing measures together, RMAs have revisited priorities and ensured that there is a shared understanding of the risks and how best they can be managed.

The Environment Agency is co-ordinating the development of this FRMP with the river basin management plan so that there is an integrated approach to overall water management for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy.

Table 5 shows the sources of FRMP information. These plans remain active. The future need for Catchment Flood Management Plans (CFMPs) as the strategic plan for river and estuary flooding is being reviewed in 2015 and 2016. CFMP actions will be being taken forward by the FRMP. The CFMP long term policies have not been carried forward.

The work programme contained within this FRMP should be considered alongside the risk management authorities maintenance programmes, the work contained in the strategies and plans in Table 5, and the drainage improvements undertaken annually by the water companies within the South East river basin district.

Table 5: Sources of FRMP information according to flood risk

Flood risk Existing plans and FRMP information

Flooding from main rivers Catchment flood management plans (CFMPs): Isle of Wight, New Forest, Test and Itchen, South East Hampshire, Arun and Western Streams, Adur, Ouse (Sussex), Cuckmere and Sussex Havens, Rother and Romney, Stour

Flooding from the sea and along estuaries, coastal erosion

Shoreline management plans (SMPs): Poole and Christchurch Bays (Hurst Spit to Durlston Head), Isle of Wight, North Solent (Selsey Bill to Hurst Spit), Beachy Head to Selsey Bill, South Foreland to Beachy Head, Isle of Grain to South Foreland

Flooding from reservoirs Reservoir maps/plans (Environment Agency only) Aldington, Cove Brook, Hothfield, Milford-on-sea, Mill Leese, Warnham Mill Pond

Flooding from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses

Local flood risk management strategies (LFRMS): Brighton and Hove City Council , East Sussex County Council, Kent County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council, West Sussex County Council

Surface water management plans (SWMPs): Ashford Stage 1, Canterbury Stage 1, Dover, Easebourne, Eastbourne/Polegate/Willingdon, Eastleigh, Folkestone and Hythe Stage 1, Heathfield, Hailsham and Hellingly, Hastings, Lidsey, Peacehaven, Portsmouth, Ryde, Newhaven, Seaford, Southampton, Thanet Stage 1, Upper Lavant Valley

24

Consultation and engagement Consultation and engagement on this FRMP helped improve, inform and shape the plan. By consulting others a better final plan can be produced. National public consultation took place October 2014 to January 2015.

Consultation document 12h: Consultation on the draft update to the flood risk management plans - summary response document. https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/flood/draft_frmp/consult?dm_i=1QGB,3R34C,KI58VF,DICTE,1

Consultation document 12i: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/update-to-the-draft-river-basin-management-plans

Objective setting Objectives set out what risk management authorities want to achieve to manage the risk of flooding. Flood risk management plans (FRMPs) contain objectives for managing flood risk. Objectives are a common set of goals agreed by risk management authorities. They state the main ways in which work is directed to make a difference and reduce flood risk. They cover people, the economy and the environment. The objectives are split into the 3 categories to help demonstrate the balance of objectives across the plans but the categories aren’t assigned a weighting in the plan. Objectives are used to plan and prioritise investment programmes to target investment to the most at risk communities. Prioritisation is then done at an England wide level and takes into account the risk but also considers other factors such as cost benefits, the level of investment to date and other aspects such as the potential for external funding opportunities.

The South East flood risk management plan contains 2 sets of objectives; high level river basin wide objectives, and local catchment objectives. The river basin district wide objectives outline the main areas where RMAs want to make improvements. The catchment objectives, which can differ from one area to the next but are linked to the river basin district objectives, allow risk management authorities to focus on locally important improvements. The measures tables in the appendices show which category of objective relates to each measure.

The objectives in the South East flood risk management plan are based on a combination of the catchment flood management plans individual sets of social, economic, and environmental objectives which were established through the catchment flood management plan engagement and consultation processes.

Six year investment programme In December 2014 the government set out a 6 year plan for investment in flood and coastal erosion risk management (2015/16 to 2020/21). The latest published figures show the current funding profile of each year and the published programme can be found here. Measures from the 6 year investment programme are included in this FRMP.

Each year Risk Management Authorities (local councils, Internal Drainage Boards, highway authorities, and water and sewage companies) are invited to submit details of proposed FCERM capital works to the Environment Agency. These proposals are combined with Environment Agency proposed schemes to form a programme of work. Investment in FCERM is prioritised

Find out more:

Interactive flood maps http://maps.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby/wiybyController?ep=maptopics&lang=_e

River Basin District Maps https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/river-basin-districts-flood-risk-maps

25

according to government policy, and in line with the government’s National FCERM Strategy and HM Treasury Green Book on economic appraisal. Government policy gives the highest priority to lives and homes and all FCERM schemes should at least have a benefit cost ratio greater than 1:1. All FCERM schemes are prioritised against a consistent set of criteria applied to all risk management authorities (RMAs). This ensures a fair distribution of government funding based on agreed priorities, principles and needs.

FCERM schemes are normally funded with Flood Defence Grant in Aid from Defra, partnership funding and Local Flood Defence Levy raised by Regional Flood and Coastal Committees. FCERM schemes can also be funded through other private contributions and local funding sources. Where FCERM projects can help to regenerate an area and support economic growth funding may also be available from other sources. This can include European Structural Investment Fund, Growth Fund through the Local Enterprise Partnership and Community Infrastructure Levy through Local Authorities. In addition to FDGiA for FCERM schemes, Internal Drainage Board activities are predominantly funded by the local beneficiaries of the water level management work they provide.

Long-term investment scenarios (LTIS) The Environment Agency’s long-term investment scenarios study published in December 2014, presents a new analysis of the costs and risks of flood and coastal erosion risk management in England. The study sets out the link between national investment in flood and coastal erosion risk management, and the outcomes in terms of economic risk and numbers of properties at risk. The study found that the annual economic ‘optimum’ investment need over the next 10 years is broadly in line with current expenditure (about £750 million, including public and third party contributions). The study shows that over the next 50 years optimal investment in FCERM is expected to rise by 10-20% (in present day terms). A key finding of the study is that even if average annual investment is sustained at an optimal level there will still be significant numbers of properties at high and medium flood risk in 50 years time meaning new and innovative approaches will be needed. LTIS estimates that by 2021, the 6 year programme could reduce overall flood risk by up to 5% on the assumption that planned capital, maintenance and incident management activities are maintained. The National Flood Resilience Review is considering infrastructure and future investment strategy across England to pinpoint where defences and modelling need strengthening. This will allow us to take prompt action.

Flood and coastal risk management and agriculture Land drainage for agricultural purposes is an important element of operational activity in flood and coastal erosion risk management. Today the prime driver for Government investment in flood and coastal management is one of risk reduction to people and property, and for the protection of the environment. Investment is prioritised according to Government policy, the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy and the HM Treasury Green Book on economic appraisal. Government policy gives the highest priority to lives and homes. Agricultural drainage and water level management work continues to be important particularly in low lying areas and this work is predominantly undertaken by farmers and landowners, and where they exist, Internal Drainage Boards. The work of Internal Drainage Boards through managing water levels and maintaining watercourses and structures can also manage and reduce flood risk to people, property and infrastructure.

Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulations A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) was undertaken to consider the significant environmental effects of the flood risk management plan. The Environment Agency consulted Natural England, English Heritage and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on the scope of the proposed assessment in December 2013, and the environmental report sets out the results of the SEA. The report describes the environmental effects that are significant within the river basin district and identifies measures to mitigate any adverse effects. Opportunities to improve the environment are also considered. The SEA took account of the environmental effects of flood risk management measures in the FRMP. The focus was on the combined effects of the programme of

26

protection measures across a catchment or flood risk area, rather than individual measures at specific locations.

Using the same assessment approach for both the RBMP and FRMP allows us to compare the environmental effects directly and consider the interaction between the two plans. The likely positive impacts of the FRMP are identified in the SEA, as well as mitigation required to manage the negative effects and opportunities to achieve greater environmental benefits. Indicators are also set out that indicate the effect of the plan on significant environmental receptors, taking advantage of existing monitoring that is already carried out by the Environment Agency and others.

A Habitats Regulations assessment has been carried out on the FRMP to consider whether the plan affects designated sites (Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and Ramsar sites).

How flood risk management plans have been co-ordinated with river basin management planning The South East flood risk management plan has been developed alongside the South East river basin management plan so that opportunities for flood risk improvements can integrate water and biodiversity objectives wherever possible and help provide other benefits to society. These benefits could include greater access to riversides, improved recreation and angling along rivers, more biodiversity and contributing to local council open space strategies. The Environment Agency has led on the development of both plans, and aims to co-ordinate work effectively and support others to do the same. Section 8 of this document provides more detail on how the flood risk management plans relate to other plans and wider policies and objectives.

Co-ordinating with the RBMP:

South East RBMP https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/river-basin-management-

plan-update

27

4 How to manage risk Involving communities leads to more effective flood and coastal erosion risk management. Risk management authorities (RMAs) will continue to work with communities and other stakeholders to manage risk by:

assessing the sources of flood risk and drawing conclusions about the risks

setting out what RMAs are trying to achieve and establishing risk management objectives

determining the best approach to achieving the objectives by identifying the right measures and prioritising them

The conclusions, objectives and measures are set out within this FRMP. During the 6 year planning cycle set out in the Flood Risk Regulations (2009) RMAs will work with partners and interested parties to:

seek to secure the necessary funding, including from partners

implement the measures, with clarity on what each organisation is accountable for

monitor and review how the plan works

Progress in achieving measures in the FRMP will be monitored and reported on annually. RMAs will continue to work in partnership, ensuring that they can maintain a forward look of prioritised proposals for managing flood and coastal erosion risk. The next review of the FRMP under the Flood Risk Regulations will be completed by 2021. The Local Flood Partnerships in Cumbria and Yorkshire, set up in response to the December floods will bring together a wide range of organisations and communities to develop Flood Action Plans. These actions will complement the measures in the FRMP and the learning from this approach will be shared across the country.

National flood and coastal erosion risk management strategy for England The national flood and coastal erosion risk management strategy for England (2011) provides the overarching framework for future action by all RMAs to tackle flooding and coastal erosion risk in England. The overall aim of the strategy is to ensure the risk of flooding and coastal erosion is properly managed by using the full range of options in a co-ordinated way. It encourages more effective risk management by enabling people, communities, businesses, infrastructure operators and the public sector to work together to:

ensure a clear understanding of the risks of flooding and coastal erosion, nationally and locally, so that investment in risk management can be prioritised more effectively;

set out clear and consistent plans for risk management so that communities and businesses can make informed decisions about the management of the remaining risk;

manage flood and coastal erosion risks in an appropriate way, taking account of the needs of communities and the environment;

ensure that emergency plans and responses to flood incidents are effective and that communities are able to respond effectively to flood forecasts, warnings and advice;

help communities to recover more quickly and effectively after incidents.

The strategy recognises that difficult decisions have to be taken about where activities can and can’t be carried out at both national and local levels. As such, 6 principles have been identified to help guide these decisions and the processes by which they are taken. These guiding principles are:

Community focus and partnership working

A catchment and coastal “cell” based approach

Sustainability

28

Proportionate, risk-based approaches

Multiple benefits

Beneficiaries should be encouraged to invest in risk management.

This FRMP has been developed to meet the legal requirements of the Flood Risk Regulations. In doing so, it has also taken into account the national flood and coastal erosion risk management strategy for England, in particular its guiding principles.

Measures for managing risk There are different approaches to managing flood and coastal erosion risk – these are known as measures and are described below:

Preventing: by avoiding putting people or the environment at risk of flooding, for example, one way of preventing risks arising would be by not building homes in areas that can be flooded.

Preparing: by taking actions that prepare people for flooding, for example by improving awareness of flood risk or by providing warning for floods so that people can take precautions to safeguard their valuables.

Protecting: by protecting people from the risk of flooding, for example by maintaining or refurbishing existing defences, or by using waterproof boards over doors and airbricks, people can protect their properties from the damage caused by flood water.

Recovery and review: by learning from flood incidents, for example, by improving the availability of recovery services such as providing temporary accommodation, after flooding has occurred.

Flood and coastal erosion risk management may require a combination of the measures outlined above. FRMPs bring together measure from existing documents, particularly CFMPs, SMPs and local flood risk management strategies. The development and completion of these measures is often dependent on partnerships and the provision of funding.

Flood risk management activities As identified by the national FCERM Strategy for England, managing flood risk and coastal erosion involves:

knowing when and where flooding and coastal erosion are likely to happen;

taking reasonable steps to reduce the likelihood of them happening;

forecasting and providing warnings of floods so that people, businesses, infrastructure providers and public services can take effective action to minimise the consequences of floods, and

adapting to coastal change and acting to reduce the risk to life, damage and disruption caused by flooding.

Ongoing risk management authority activities relating to flood and coastal risk management can be divided into the following activities.

Strategic planning Strategic planning enables risk management authorities to prioritise flood risk management activities and ensure that investment aligns with priority areas where the risk is greatest and ensure that the best value for money is achieved. It is vital that all risk management authorities continue to work in partnership to agree strategic planning to manage flood and coastal erosion risk across the river basin district, especially areas at risk from more than one sources of flooding.

Investigations

Following significant flooding, lead local flood authorities (LLFAs) will carry out and publish a flood investigation report (under Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act). This will consider the source(s) of flooding, how the flooding occurred, the flood extent and depth, damage to property and estimate the severity of the flood. It will also identify which risk management

29

authorities have relevant flood risk management functions, and whether they have exercised, or are proposing to exercise, those functions in response to the flood. The lead local flood authority must publish the results of its investigation, and notify any risk management authorities.

Hydraulic modelling and hydrology Hydraulic modelling is a process of simulating what happens to river levels during periods of heavy rain. Past flood events are used to support the models’ predictions and improve their accuracy. The risk management authorities use these models to predict where and when flooding is expected to occur and for how long, taking into account storm intensity and duration.

This also informs decisions about how flood risk could be managed. For example, refurbish or improve existing assets, construct new assets, provide planning advice to local councils highlighting risk areas to avoid inappropriate development or provide flood warnings and flood incident management.

Flood forecasting and warning In addition to the hydrology and hydraulic modelling, weather forecasts can be used to predict how river flows and levels are expected to respond to changes in weather. Rainfall and river levels provide data which informs the Environment Agency’s flood warning service and allows the issue of timely and accurate flood warnings. Computer models of weather and tide conditions predict tidal flood forecasts. Providing an accurate flood forecasting and warning service is critical in managing the consequences of flooding.

Incident planning and management The Environment Agency, local councils, water companies, Emergency Services and other utility companies all plan for incidents of many types, including flooding. These plans inform how the risk management authorities work together to respond to an incident and inform more strategic Multi-Agency Response Plans. Incident management exercises are used to test and improve the planed procedures. Following flood incidents partners review the plans to further improve procedures and share data. Local Resilience Forums for each of the counties oversee the collective incident planning and response, these are:

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum http://www3.hants.gov.uk/localresilienceforum

Kent Resilience Forum

http://www.kentprepared.org.uk/

Surrey Local Resilience Forum

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/people-and-community/emergency-planning-and-community-safety/emergency-planning/surreys-local-resilience-forum

Sussex Resilience Forum

http://www.sussexemergency.info/

Maintenance Risk management authorities carry out regular inspections and maintenance of structures (raised defences, river channel walls, culverts, outfalls and flap valves, pumping stations and flood storage reservoirs) to ensure they are ‘fit for purpose’. Clearance of some vegetation, sediment and debris from river channels and culverts is a key maintenance task, as this helps to provide enough capacity to convey flood flows. Similar activities are carried out for drains and sewers. Information from the Environment Agency assets inspections informs System Asset Management Plans (SAMPs) which are updated regularly to inform maintenance, funding requirements and asset condition. Other risk management authorities also maintain information relating to their assets, for example Asset Registers that are maintained by LLFAs or Asset Management Plans by the water companies.

Improvement works

30

The Environment Agency produce flood maps using models to shows where properties are at risk of flooding, or where flooding has happened. These maps help us to identify communities that are at risk of flooding. The Environment Agency, in partnership with other RMAs, works with these communities to look at options to reduce the risk of flooding. The Environment Agency coordinates a 6 year investment programme which prioritises investment to improve or create new defences.

Development planning and control RMAs work together to avoid inappropriate development in the floodplain. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out government policy on new developments, which must be applied by local planning authorities when making land use planning decisions. The Environment Agency is a statutory consultee for planning applications except for minor developments in areas at risk of flooding from rivers and the sea and large developments where flooding from rivers and the sea is very unlikely. Working in partnership as RMAs we advise developers on planning consultations in high risk areas. The final decision for development in the floodplain is made by the local planning authorities. Permitting decisions on development are an opportunity for the Local Planning Authority to integrate SuDS.

Sustainable Drainage Systems

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) are a way of managing surface water by reducing or delaying rainwater runoff. They aim to mimic the way rainfall drains naturally rather than conventional piped methods. This helps to manage flooding and reduce pollution and damage to the environment. Common types of SuDS are ponds which change in level with rainfall, swales (wide grass ditches), soakaways and permeable pavements (block paving, sometimes with gravel beneath). The approach to be adopted requires infiltration (allowing water to soak in to the ground) to be considered first, then attenuation (storing water at the top of the catchment) and discharge into a watercourse and only if these are impractical should attenuation with discharge to a sewer be considered. Retro-fitting of SuDS to existing buildings and land is also a way of reducing peak flows in drains/sewers and watercourses and so helping to reduce flooding and pollution. The Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), along with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), are reviewing SuDS, including how they will be maintained.

Enforcement RMAs may take enforcement action against a riparian owner (owner of land adjacent to or over a watercourse) to repair their structure before a possible collapse which could lead to flooding. Enforcement action is also sometimes necessary to keep access alongside watercourses clear, so that the RMAs can do maintenance and other work.

Working with communities The risk management authorities work in partnership with communities to understand the community perspective of flooding and coastal erosion. The aim is to help communities understand and actively prepare for the risk, and encourage them to have direct involvement in decision-making. Flood Action Groups or other community groups become a clear focus for the community to bring together all the relevant information its residents and businesses may have. Working together to share knowledge, all relevant risk management authorities can work with communities on managing local risk. This becomes an opportunity for the RMAs to explain what steps they propose to take, talk about the likelihood of funding for any construction works, explore any other funding sources and advise residents and businesses what they can do to help themselves. It also gives the community the opportunity to shape the proposals.

Partnership working Partnership working allows organisations to pool expertise and resources to enable what they do to be as efficient and effective as possible. It encourages the sharing of knowledge, data and expertise and providing opportunities to manage cross boundary issues, ensure consistent approaches and develop and test innovative approaches to delivery. Government is also working to strengthen or establish partnerships in the areas most affected by the December 2015 floods to encourage a more integrated approach to managing risk across the whole catchment. The Local

31

Floods Partnerships across Cumbria and Yorkshire, established after the December 2015 flooding, are a good example of this way of working.

Managing flood and coastal risks and particularly local flood risks requires many organisations to work together in partnership. The main risk management authorities in the south east which work in this way are the Environment Agency, 8 lead local flood authorities and district and borough councils. Maritime district councils work with the Environment Agency and others to pursue solutions to coastal erosion and flooding. Coastal Groups are voluntary groups comprising the key partners in coastal management, primarily representatives from maritime councils, Ports Authorities and the Environment Agency. These groups enable co-ordinated strategic management of the coastline and coastal issues.

The Floods and Water Management Act (2010) made it easier for risk management authorities to undertake work on each other’s behalf. Public sector cooperation agreements have been developed to make this happen and are being used to deliver maintenance by a partnership approach. They will help deliver value for money in operational maintenance activities and will ensure a consistent approach across the country.

Regional Flood and Coastal Committees (RFCCs) were first established in 2011 following the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, replacing the former Regional Flood Defence Committees. The RFCCs play a key role in approving local funding and programmes of work that protect communities from flooding. The RFCCs support the Environment Agency and lead local flood authorities in working with these communities and other partners to identify and secure funding. Committee Members are responsible for using their skills and experience to provide strategic advice, as well as contributing to the delivery of local flood risk plans and strategies by actively engaging with local communities, particularly to gain external views and financial contributions.

Catchment based approach Catchment partnerships are groups of organisations with an interest in improving the environment in the local area and are led by a catchment host organisation. The partnerships work on a wide range of issues, including the water environment but also address other concerns that are not directly related to river basin management planning.

Government is also working to strengthen or establish partnerships in the areas most affected by the December 2015 floods to encourage a more integrated approach to managing risk across the whole catchment, and will look to build on the work of successful catchment partnerships.

The National Resilience Review will align closely with Defra’s work on integrated catchment-level management of the water cycle in the Government’s 25 year Environment Plan. Government’s aspirations for the next cycle of planning (now to 2021) is for more integrated catchment planning for water, where Flood and Coastal Risk Management, River Basin Management, nature

conservation and land management are considered together.

Table 6: Catchment based approach partnership groups

Catchment Partnership group host

New Forest Freshwater Habitat Trust and New Forest National Park Authority

Isle of Wight Island Rivers

Test and Itchen Wessex Chalk stream and Rivers Trust and the Hampshire and Isle of

Wight Wildlife Trust

32

Catchment Partnership group host

East Hampshire Groundwork South (Solent)

Arun and Western

Streams

Arun and Rother Rivers Trust (ARRT)

Adur and Ouse Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust (OART)

Cuckmere and

Pevensey Levels

Sussex Wildlife Trust and the South East Rivers Trust

Rother Kent Wildlife Trust

Stour South East Rivers Trust

Internal Drainage Boards Internal Drainage Board (IDBs) are local public authorities established in areas of special drainage need in England. IDBs undertake works to reduce flood risk to people and property and manage water levels to meet local needs. IDBs play an important role in managing water levels to improve drainage for agricultural land, protect wetland habitats and to reduce flood risk to people, property and infrastructure in low lying areas known as internal drainage districts. Much of the work of IDBs involves the maintenance and improvement of watercourses and related infrastructure such as pumping stations, weirs, sluices, culverts and embankments within their drainage districts.

In the South East river basin district there are currently 7 IDBs.

Pevensey Levels and River Cuckmere *

River Adur *

River Arun *

River Ouse (Sussex) *

River Stour (Kent)

Romney Marsh Levels

South West Sussex *

* The Environment Agency currently acts as the IDB for 5 Internal Drainage Districts. The Environment Agency is currently seeking to transfer the management of ordinary watercourses within internal drainage districts to local ownership so local councils and individuals can act effectively to achieve the outcomes communities want to see. The Environment Agency will help to put alternative arrangements in place during 2016.

33

5 Getting to know the South East river basin district Introduction The South East river basin district is one of 11 river basin districts across England and Wales. The basin extends from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in the west to Kent in the east. It covers diverse landscapes including the chalk hills of the South Downs, the High Weald, the heathland of the New Forest and the vast flat areas of Romney Marsh and the Pevensey Levels.

Managing the water environment at a catchment scale allows a holistic approach to flood and erosion risk management work and working with others. The river basin district is made up of 9 Water Framework Directive management catchments and one Flood Risk Area as shown in figure 4:

Brighton and Hove (Flood Risk Area)

New Forest

Isle of Wight

Test and Itchen

East Hampshire

Arun and Western Streams

Adur and Ouse

Cuckmere and Pevensey Levels

Rother and Romney

Stour

The coastline of the river basin district is varied and has many iconic features, including the cliffs around Beachy Head, Dover and the Seven Sisters in East Sussex, as well as the natural harbours of Langstone, Portsmouth and Chichester. There are broad expanses of sand and dunes near Rye and Camber and the famous pebble beach and piers of Brighton.

The Isle of Wight is a unique feature within the river basin district and even with its relatively small coastline has all of the wider catchments features, including the iconic Needles on the west of the Island, the marshes at Bembridge and the sandy beaches at Sandown.

Parts of the South East river basin district are heavily urbanised with a population of more than 3.7 million. Major urban centres include Brighton and Hove, Portsmouth, Southampton and Ashford.

In recent years there has been notable flooding across the basin, with severe flood events occurring in the autumn of 2000, winter of 2008, summer of 2012 and again during the winter storms of 2013 to 2014. These flood events had significant impacts on some communities, businesses and infrastructure as well as the natural environment. With a changing climate it is predicted that there may be more extremes in the weather, leading to more frequent and severe events like these.

34

Figure 4: Overview of the South East river basin district

35

Water The South East river basin district has an average annual rainfall of approximately 850 mm, which is at least 150 mm lower than the UK annual long term average.

The chalk groundwater provides 72% (326 million cubic metres) of the total supply of drinking water in the river basin district. The water that is available and how it is used has to be managed very carefully as existing demands are already very high. Through careful monitoring and licensing of the available water the damage to rivers can be minimised. Pressures on rivers and groundwater are likely to increase with population growth, climate change and changes in lifestyle. It is a delicate balance between ensuring there is enough water to support this continuing development on a day-to-day basis, whilst also ensuring these same developments are not at risk during times of flood.

Flood risk management systems and drainage The majority of the basin drains into the English Channel with the exception of the Stour which discharges into the North Sea. Flood risk in the South East river basin district is diverse as the geology and topography of the river basin district strongly influences the hydrological systems.

There are a number of rivers that are groundwater fed from chalk aquifers, such as the Rivers Test and Itchen. Whilst this provides the rivers with constant flows of water, these rivers have a slow response to rainfall. However, long periods of wet weather can result in sustained flooding. In contrast the river basin district also has rivers that react very quickly to heavy rainfall where they are situated in steep valleys, and flow over impermeable clay.

Where many of the river systems drain to the sea across the flat coastal plain they can be characterised as being slow moving. The influence of the tide can have a significant impact on the tidal stretches of these rivers. Tide locking is an issue where river systems meet the sea. This is where the river is prevented from discharging into the sea by the incoming high tide. This is a particular issue in low lying areas such as the Pevensey and Pett Levels. Existing flood risk management structures are operated when river levels are high to reduce the impact of flooding from tide locking.

Some of the catchments still retain much of their natural character, whereas others have been significantly modified over time as a result of industry, navigation and agriculture. Flood risk is increased where the watercourses have been artificially straightened or constricted (for example through culverting). Where the catchments retain their natural rural floodplain, the floodplains provide vital natural flood storage.

Figure 5: Tide locking at Gurnard, Isle of Wight

36

Climate and climate change adaptation There is clear scientific evidence that global climate change is happening now. Over the past century we have seen more of our winter rain falling in intense wet spells and sea levels rise around England. Climate change can affect flood risk in several ways and the impacts will vary depending on local conditions and vulnerability. As risk management authorities we should consider climate change within the development of all our plans.

We already plan for climate change. We build climate change predictions in to the design of flood defence schemes to make sure that they are fit for the future. We will revisit this modelling after the record breaking wet weather experienced in December 2015. Wetter winters and more intense rainfall may increase river flooding and cause more surface runoff, increasing localised flooding and erosion. In turn, this may increase pressure on drains, sewers and water quality. Storm intensity in summer could increase even in drier summers, so we need to be prepared for the extreme events. Rising sea or river levels may also increase local flood risk inland or away from major rivers because of interactions with drains, sewers and smaller watercourses. Even small rises in sea level could add to very high tides so as to affect places a long way inland.

Lower emissions could reduce the amount of climate change further into the future, but changes are still projected at least as far ahead as 2080. UK Government’s Flood Foresight (2014) re-endorses the findings of the 2008 foresight work, stating that in general terms climate change is likely to increase river flood risks by 2080 by between 2 and 4 times, and coastal flood risk by 4 to 10 times. Increases in the frequency of flooding would affect people’s homes and wellbeing, especially for vulnerable groups.

Sea level rise is affected by 2 factors. The thermal expansion of sea water as temperature rises and the amount of water in the oceans increases as ice sheet and glaciers melt as a result of climate change. This is in combination with isostatic rebound, the vertical movement or settling of land. The ice cap that covered the north and west of the UK melted, and retreated northwards, following the end of the last Ice Age around 12,000 years ago. The general trend is the northern and western parts of England and Scotland is lifting and south east of England is sinking.

It is not possible to predict exactly how much change will happen or when. But in planning, a range of scenarios should be used for long term decisions to understand the potential range of impacts. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Planning Practice Guidance state that local planning authorities and developers should ensure development is appropriately flood resilient and resistant, safe for its users for the development’s lifetime and will not increase flood risk overall. The changing climate is expected to increase frequency, extent and impact of flooding and the need to adapt to it. This will be recognised by local planning authorities, lead local flood authorities and the Environment Agency in exercising their development control roles as statutory consultees. The nature of the proposal, the site and the development’s lifetime will determine what level of resilience needs to be incorporated at the time of construction and what actions can be deferred to be incorporated at a later date should future adaptation be required.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires that new development is resilient to flooding for its lifetime, taking climate change into account. ‘Flood risk assessments: climate change allowances’ are the best available evidence on the likely impact of climate change on flood risk. By using this guidance for flood risk assessments and to inform the location of development and the design of associated flood risk management measures, it will help local authorities and developers comply with the NPPF.

For the south east of England, under a medium emissions scenario, the latest UK climate projections predict that by the 2050s:

Average winter temperatures across the area could rise by between 1.1OC and 3.4OC

Average summer temperatures across the area could rise by between 1.3OC and 4.6OC

Rainfall may change in summer ranging between a decrease of 41% or an increase of 7%.

Winter rainfall may increase by between 2% and 36%

The FRMPs contain high level measures/ actions detailing how RMAs will:

37

Incorporate climate change allowances into flood risk management works. Impacts from a changing climate will be considered in plans for location-specific works to reduce flood risk from all sources

Identify where working with natural processes and natural flood management can help to reduce flood and coastal erosion risk and help towards communities becoming more resilient both adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Measures in the FRMP will complement the outputs of the National Flood Resilience Review. The National Resilience Review will assess how the country can be better protected from future flooding and increasingly extreme weather events. The review is looking at climate modelling, infrastructure, resilience and future investment strategy. Accounting for climate change reduces the risk of flooding and provides better levels of protection but we can never eradicate the risk of flooding entirely.

Coastal erosion risk management The Environment Agency has the coastal Strategic Overview in England. Through fulfilling this role the Environment Agency joins up coastal management activities to ensure flooding and erosion risk is managed effectively. They encourage authorities to work in partnership to achieve effective management of coastal flooding and erosion risks.

Work to tackle coastal erosion is the responsibility of district or unitary councils. Local authorities have operational powers relating to managing coastal erosion under the Coast Protection Act 1949 and the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. Local Authorities lead on coastal risk management activities and undertake works on sea flooding and coastal erosion where they are best placed to do so. This is undertaken in collaboration with the Environment Agency.

Shoreline management plans are non-statutory, high level planning documents. They are large scale assessments of the risk associated with coastal processes, and a policy framework to reduce these risks to people and the developed, historic and natural environment in a sustainable manner. They set the strategic direction for how the coast is wanted to be managed over the next 100 years. Shoreline management plans identify the most sustainable approaches to managing coastal erosion and flooding risks in the short, medium and long term.

During the development of shoreline management plans, a range of partners and the public were extensively consulted and involved in the decision making processes.

This flood risk management plan also draws some coastal erosion information from the shoreline management plans 2 (SMP2), however, the full shoreline management plans have not been included in this FRMP. The SMP measures included in this FRMP are those that are most relevant for coastal flooding and erosion risk issues. You can access further information and the full SMPs here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/shoreline-management-plans-smps/shoreline-management-plans-smps.

SMPs remain the primary high level strategic planning documents on the coast, as they also contain information on coastal erosion risk management, and their content can be updated or changed using an established auditable process. These changes will be reflected in the FRMPs as they are updated on a 6 yearly cycle. These changes may be prompted by changes in the evidence base guiding management decisions in SMPs, including evidence emerging from experience of the ongoing implementation of RBMPs. In this way, the Programme of Measures in RBMPs, the action plan and information in the FRMP, and the ‘living’ SMP documents should successfully inform and read-across to each other.

The two regional coastal groups that operate within the river basin district are the Southern Coastal Group (County Rock, Lyme Regis to Selsey Bill, West Sussex) and the South East Coastal Group (Selsey Bill, West Sussex to Isle of Grain, North Kent). The coastal groups are technical groups that principally consist of local authorities, Environment Agency and other maritime operating organisations. The coastal groups support the delivery of plans, strategies and schemes by providing co-ordination, facilitating communication and providing advice and guidance to member organisations.

38

The coastline of the South East river basin district is covered by 6 updated shoreline management plans (Table 4). These plans were led by maritime authorities working closely with the Coastal Groups and Environment Agency. The plans were approved by the Environment Agency in 2010.

More information on shoreline management plans and the plans themselves can be found on the coastal group websites:

Southern Coastal Group - http://www.southerncoastalgroup.org.uk

South East Coastal Group - http://www.se-coastalgroup.org.uk

The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 established the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to produce marine plans, administer marine licensing and manage marine fisheries in English waters. It introduced marine planning in the UK through production of a marine policy statement and more detailed marine plans setting spatial policy at a more local level. Eleven marine plans covering English waters are anticipated by 2021.

Marine plans will inform and guide marine users and regulators across England, managing the sustainable development of marine industries such as wind farms and fishing, alongside the need to conserve and protect marine species and habitats. At its landward extent, a marine plan will apply up to mean high water, including estuaries and the tidal extent of rivers. All public bodies making authorisation or enforcement decisions capable of affecting the marine area must do so in accordance with the Marine Policy Statement (MPS) or marine plans (where they are in place) or state reasons for not doing so. Marine licensing, administered by the MMO is the main environmental and development control system below high water.

Further information can be found on the MMO web pages on GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/marine-planning-in-england

Coastal Squeeze Flood risk and coastal erosion management measures, such as coastal flood defences, can have an impact on wetland and coastal environments and their conservation interest. As sea-levels rise, intertidal habitat in front of a flood defence can get squeezed and erode. It is therefore important that a long term plan and measures are in place to compensate for habitat losses. Measures can include habitat creation that offsets or replaces habitat losses. Risk Management and Coastal Authorities are encouraged to develop a strategic approach to the planning and delivery of any habitat creation measures that they anticipate will be required before seeking consent for plans or projects.

Society and health Over 3.7 million people live within the river basin district with many more commuting into and out of the area. With 2 national parks, forests and the coast, there are many opportunities for people to take part in healthy and social activities, whilst enjoying the beauty of the natural surroundings. Life expectancy is generally considered to be good in the South East and in some areas, above the national average. The south coast is a popular retirement location and subsequently many coastal towns have large elderly populations. As the area is a popular destination to live and visit, there are growing pressures within the basin to increase development. This can pose additional challenges when managing flood risk.

Land use Across the majority of the district land use is typically rural, with a range of farming practices taking place. Low lying flood plain areas are generally used for grazing whereas the undulating hills within the basin are used for crop growth. Changes in farming practices have meant a change to the landscape. Intensive farming methods and the loss of valuable hedgerows and woodland has led to increased surface water run-off.

The larger urban areas within the river basin district generally lie along the coast and include the cities of Brighton and Hove, Portsmouth and Southampton. Additionally there are the busy port

39

towns of Shoreham and Dover. Further inland, the settlements of Canterbury, Horsham, Ashford and Lewes have all expanded over time. Rivers provided trade links and continue to provide natural resources. Proximity of these towns to rivers was often the reason for this growth.

Figure 6: Topographic map of the South East river basin district

The rate and amount of rainfall run-off in an area or catchment and the time it takes for rivers to respond to rainfall can be influenced by urbanisation or intensification in land management. This can increase flood risk in some cases with flooding likely to occur more quickly. This can also mean that there is less time for flood warning. Decisions about the use and management of land have the potential to change the consequences of flooding.

There are currently 7 internal drainage boards (IDBs) across the South East river basin district that play an important role in maintaining the water levels in mainly low-lying areas. Their main focus historically was drainage of agricultural land, but as risk management authorities they have evolved to play a much wider role, contributing to flood risk management and protecting and enhancing biodiversity.

There is evidence that woodland measures can reduce flood flows, particularly but not only within smaller catchments. Trees help reduce flood risk in a number of ways:

greater water use by trees compared to other vegetation types reduces run-off and also creates greater capacity for woodland soils to absorb rainfall during flood events;

higher infiltration rates of forest soils resulting from the extensive rooting systems of trees reduces run-off to watercourses and aids interception of overland flow from adjacent land;

Floodplain and riparian woodland can slow down flood flows, increase temporary storage and thereby delay the transfer of flood water downstream;

40

soils under woodland are generally protected from erosion risk, reducing delivery of sediment to watercourses.

Therefore, ‘woodland measures’ for flood risk reduction include both targeted woodland creation – in the right place and to the right design – and woodland management such as the installation of features such as large woody debris dams to reconnect watercourses with already wooded riparian zones and floodplains.

The 2011 ‘Woodland for Water’ report detailed the evidence behind these conclusions. As a result opportunity mapping can be used to identify where in the country to target woodland measures to help reduce flood risk. Priority locations fall into three categories:

Floodplains – where hydraulic roughness from woodland cover slows the flow and encourages the deposition of sediment;

Riparian zones – to intercept overland flow, protect river banks from erosion, and help slow the flow of water;

Wider catchment planting – to protect sensitive soils from erosion, increase infiltration rates, and intercept sediment in run-off from adjacent land.

While opportunity maps can identify priority catchments where woodland creation and management can help reduce flood risk, it is important that woodland is located in the right part of the landscape and then designed and managed appropriately in order to maximise their contribution to reducing flood risk.

Economic activity The economy of the south-east is an important part of the UK economy as a whole. Tourism, agriculture, service, banking, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing industries as well as international trade through the ports and the Channel Tunnel account for a large percentage of the economic activities.

Given the proximity of London to the basin it is expected that the population within the district will further increase along with the economy. The number of people and the infrastructure required to support this growth will increase the pressure on natural resources, landscape and character of the area. It is therefore important that careful planning of this growth is considered in the context of the natural environment.

Recreation and tourism The rivers and the coastline within the basin are popular for recreation and tourism. From the chalk streams of the Test and Itchen which are world famous for salmon and trout fishing, to the recreational boating on the Arun and the Rother at Rye Harbour, each river in the basin presents opportunities for recreation and tourism alike. The basin contains many fine beaches, some of which have Blue Flag status making them popular for holiday makers. The National Parks are a major draw with their natural beauty, historic villages and towns. They are popular for outdoor activities like horse riding, cycling and walking.

Coastal cities like Brighton and Hove, and Portsmouth are popular visitor destinations. Brighton and Hove boasts an eclectic mix of cultures, shops, quaint lanes and world famous piers, whilst Portsmouth is home to the Mary Rose, HMS Victory and the Spinnaker Tower. Southampton is a major cruise ship terminal and the Port of Dover is one of the main gateways to France bringing people from all over the world into the basin.

There are historic castles, parks and cathedrals, including the UNESCO World Heritage Canterbury Cathedral.

Infrastructure The south-east is a gateway to Europe with the ferry ports of Southampton, Portsmouth, Newhaven and Dover. There are key rail links to London, together with the Channel Tunnel Rail

41

Link and Eurostar terminal at Ashford providing essential transport links to the continent, as well as airports at Shoreham and Southampton.

Infrastructure within the river basin district can be significantly affected by flooding. In recent years key roads such as the A27, A24, A259 and M23 have all flooded, as have key rail links from Brighton to London and coastal rail links from Lewes to Newhaven and the Ashford to Canterbury line. In rural areas, road flooding and closures can have a proportionately greater impact, especially when areas can become cut off.

There are major power stations along parts of the coast which include Shoreham and the Dungeness nuclear power station. Given the proximity of these power stations to the coast they currently benefit from flood defences, but with the potential impact of sea level rise, significant investment may be required into the future to provide continued protection for these sites.

Landscape The landscape across the river basin district varies considerably, from heathland to wide flat coastal flood plains, from South Downs chalk to tidal estuaries and coastal marshes. The river basin district is mostly rural away from the coastal strip which contains many of the largest urban centres. The New Forest, the South Downs and the High Weald form the main topographical features of the area, which has been acknowledged by the creation of the South Downs and New Forest National Parks. The Isle of Wight is also a significant feature in the district and has a very diverse landscape given its small size.

Over a third of the district is under national landscape designations, more than any other river basin district, with 2 National Parks, 4 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and 5 Heritage Coasts. Landscape Character Areas are a jointly agreed framework for describing the important landscapes in an area, its main features and are a guide to decision-making.

The south-east has more ancient woodland than any other river basin district in England. Ancient woodland is defined as a site that has been wooded continuously since at least 1600 AD. Both semi-natural woodland and plantations on ancient woodland sites can be classed as ancient. Ancient woodland is a valuable habitat for wildlife and is an irreplaceable resource.

Biodiversity The river basin district has many significant wetland, intertidal and wildlife sites, including chalk streams such as the Rivers Test, Itchen and Stour, internationally important wetland sites on the River Arun, Pevensey Levels and Solent marshes and natural harbours such as Chichester Harbour.

The district supports a wealth of wildlife, and there are many areas where the water environment is particularly important. These areas include rare wildlife habitats, bathing waters and areas where drinking water is abstracted. Known as ‘protected areas’, these areas are given particular legal protection.

There are different types of protected area, each with their own standards and objectives. In the South East river basin district there are:

297 water dependent Sites of Special Scientific Interest 25 Natura 2000 sites (Water dependent Special Areas of Conservation and Special

Protection Areas for wild birds) 53% land area covered by (Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) 24 Economically Significant Species (Shellfish waters) 51 Drinking Water Protected Areas 80 Recreational waters (Bathing waters) 6 Marine Conservation Zones 21 Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive Sensitive Areas

Water bodies and wetland areas within the river basin district support a number of protected species (such as otters and water voles) and priority species listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (such as freshwater White-Clawed Crayfish).

42

Invasive species are present in many of the catchments across the river basin district, in particular Japanese Knotweed, Floating Pennywort, Himalayan Balsam, Chinese Mitten Crabs, Signal Crayfish, Mink and Giant Hogweed. Invasive species out-compete native vegetation and compromise habitats which other aquatic or semi-aquatic wildlife rely on and cause bank erosion.

Cultural Heritage There are numerous registered parks and gardens, listed buildings and heritage sites in the river basin district. The majority of listed buildings are within built-up areas and they may be vulnerable to all types of flooding where these have been built in low lying areas and close to rivers, the sea or canals. Many structures such as mills, bridges, weirs and sluices directly associated with the water environment have listed status or are of local historic importance.

Geology The geology of an area influences how catchments respond to rainfall and how flood risk can be managed. The river basin district sits upon a mixed but distinctive geology - chalk, gravel, sand and clay are all found within the area.

The porous nature of the chalk areas mean that water can infiltrate quickly, and move freely within these rocks. The groundwater from the chalk provides a significant base-flow for the some rivers, notably the Test, Itchen and Meon. Water flows through the chalk and is released at a slow rate over a long period of time into the rivers.

Where the river valleys are mainly formed of clay and sand sediments they are not very permeable. The Hampshire Basin and the Weald are mainly formed of clays where water does not infiltrate quickly into the ground. This results in a higher percentage of rainfall running overland directly into watercourses. This can quickly affect water levels and generate short, high peaks in river levels.

Highly urbanised areas, especially Southampton, Brighton and Portsmouth suffer from surface water flooding due to the impermeable nature of urban environments. These man-made surfaces create greater amounts of run-off and can make the hydrological system respond faster.

Groundwater flooding can occur in low-lying areas a long way from any watercourse. Whilst flooding from this source can be linked to river flooding it can also occur independently as it does in parts of Brighton and Hove. Groundwater levels are slow to respond to rainfall, therefore flooding can be prolonged and impacts difficult to alleviate.

Soil Soil characteristics can affect the movement of water through a catchment. Soil types can change over short distances because of complex interactions between underlying geology, landform, past and existing land use and climate. Granular soils with a chalk or sand-type base are very permeable and encourage infiltration of rainwater into the ground. By contrast, cohesive soils with a clay-type base can be much more impermeable, so water may pond above ground after prolonged rain where these soils are present

Soil drainage capacity is an important factor in flooding and how catchments respond. Soil can reduce the risk of flooding by slowing the passage of heavy rainfall to surface waters. Well managed, un-compacted soils that are rich in organic matter will have a greater capacity to absorb rainfall. Therefore, at a local scale, continued adoption of sustainable soil management practices can have a positive impact on rates and quantities of run-off.

43

6 Key flood risk issues in the South East river basin district The following maps illustrate the broad scale of flood risk across the river basin district. The district consists of one flood risk area and 9 catchments which are described in detail in the following sections. These catchment areas are distinct from each other and flooding within one catchment will not affect the others.

In parallel to flood risk management planning, the Environment Agency consulted on river basin plans in relation to water quality and quantity across England. You can consider the pressures on the water environment and what plans are proposed using the links below.

There are over 36,000 people at high risk (up to a 1 in 30 chance in any given year) of flooding from rivers and the sea, compared with 31,000 from surface water. For moderate risk (between a 1 in 30 and 1 in 100 chance in any given year), over 45,000 people are at risk from rivers and the sea with over 58,000 people potentially affected by surface water.

Figure 7: Flood defences at Sandwich Quay

Flood History To best manage flood risk data and knowledge from a variety of sources are needed. Records of past flooding are a vital source, such as the cause of flooding, the numbers of properties affected, extent and depth of floodwater and actions taken to mitigate impacts. Availability of this data varies. The Environment Agency use historic flood data to verify and improve models which simulate floods and these models are then used to produce maps of indicative flood risk – the extent of floods of differing severity.

Tables 7 - 9 shows larger coastal, tidal flood, fluvial, surface water and groundwater floods where 20 or more properties have been affected in a single location. Three of the significant flood events that have occurred in the last 15 years are described briefly below. More comprehensive details of past floods are listed in individual Catchment Flood Management Plans and in reports of major flood events.

From December 2013 to February 2014, the United Kingdom experienced a prolonged period of heavy rain and strong winds. The Met Office reported the winter to be the wettest winter in England and Wales since at least 1766. Heavy rain, storm force winds and large waves combined with high spring tides causing flooding from the sea, rivers, groundwater and surface water. Over 300 properties flooded across the South East river basin district with over 200 of these being from groundwater and groundwater fed river systems. Some communities, such as Hambledon,

44

experienced prolonged flooding for over 2 months. This causes significant disruption to these communities and local economies.

An extreme rainfall event in June 2012 led to widespread flooding across western parts of Sussex and East Hampshire. Best estimates are that up to 700 properties were flooded from a variety of sources, although the largest impacts were the result of surface water flooding. One of the most affected areas was the Bognor Regis conurbation (including Middleton-on-Sea, Elmer and Felpham) where 106mm rainfall was recorded in a 24 hour period compared to an average monthly rainfall for June of 50mm. This flood event led to the implementation of different schemes and initiatives to repair flood damage and reduce flood risk in the future, including ‘Operation Watershed’ in 2013 through which West Sussex County Council invested £8.25 million to address issues with drainage infrastructure and repair damage caused to roads and highways.

The autumn of 2000 saw major flooding across the south east. Average rainfall totals of between 175mm to 261mm were recorded over Hampshire, Sussex and Kent in October 2000 compared to an 80mm average. The impacts continued into 2001 with flooding experienced from fluvial, surface water, groundwater and sewers with Portsmouth, Ryde, Uckfield, Lewes and Robertsbridge being particularly affected. The River Ouse and its tributaries severely flooded Lewes and Uckfield following 3 days of storms and heavy rainfall. Over 2,000ha of floodplain were inundated in the with flood depths exceeding 1 metre in places, and over 600 residential properties flooded. Businesses and major infrastructure such as the road and railway networks were also severely damaged. As a result of the flood event significant flood risk management schemes were built including the Lewes Cliffe and Malling Brooks Flood Alleviation Schemes which reduce the risk to over 400 properties in Lewes.

Figure 8: Flooding in Lewes, October 2000

45

Table 7 Historical coastal and tidal flood events affecting 20 or more properties in a single location. Number of residential properties affected shown in ( )

Coastal and Tidal Floods:

Year Location Watercourse

December 2014

Newhaven (60)

Sandwich (15)

River Ouse

Winter 2013/14

Numerous properties affected including Newhaven (50), Brighton and Hove (30)

River Ouse

October 1999

Pevensey (unknown)

February 1983

Littlehampton (100)

Shoreham and Newhaven also affected (~50)

River Arun (tidal)/coastal

1978 North Kent Coast (unknown)

January 1953

North Kent Coast (~300)

1929 Langstone (29)

Table 8: Historical fluvial flood events affecting 20 or more properties in a single location. Number of residential properties affected shown in ( )

Fluvial (from ‘main river’):

Year Location Watercourse

Winter 2013/14

Over 60 properties were affected by fluvial flooding, although these occurred in small numbers in each location

Multiple

2009 St Leonards (unknown( Hollington Stream

February 2001

Ashford (35), Littlebourne (52), Bridge (25) River Stour, Little Stour, Nailbourne

Winter 2000/2001

Romsey (22) River Test

November 2000

Robertsbridge (33) Rother and Darwell

Autumn 2000

Extensive flooding across the south-east including:

Lewes (613), Uckfield (18)

Roberstbridge (88)

Emsworth/Westbourne (17-20)

Bosham (10-20)

Hellingly/Horam/Alfriston (26)

River Ouse

River Ouse

River Rother

River Ems

River Cuckmere

2000 Wallington (46) Wallington River

December Lymington (>20) Lymington River

46

Fluvial (from ‘main river’):

Year Location Watercourse

1999

December 1993

Lindfield (30), Uckfield (30) River Ouse

1990 Brockenhurst (23) Lymington River (tributary)

1987 Haywards Heath and Lindfield (140) Scrase Bridge Strea/West Common Stream

1986 South Willesborough (80) River Stour

1985 South Willesborough (80) River Stour

December 1984

Bexhill/Crowhurst/Eastbourne/Westham (>20) Multiple

1980 South Willesborough (80) River Stour

December 1979

Uckfield and Lewes (>100) River Ouse

1975 South Willesborough (80) River Stour

November 1974

Hastings/Alfriston/Berwick/Bexhill (<20) Multiple

1972 South Willesborough (80) River Stour

September 1968

Horsham (~50) River Arun

1966 Lymington (40) Lymington River

1960s Brockenhurst (100) Lymiington River (tributary)

November 1960

Lewes (620) River Ouse

February 1952

Uckfield (<100) River Ouse

January 1943

Uckfield (<100) River Ouse

Table 9: Historical groundwater and surface water flood events affecting 20 or more properties in a single location. Number of residential properties affected shown in ( )

Groundwater and Surface Water

Year Location Watercourse

Winter 2013/14

Over 200 properties were affected including, but not limited : East Sussex and Brighton and Hove (91) Romsey (36), Winchester, Hambledon (42), Vernham Dean, Upton & Bourne Valley (36), Isle of Wight (Ryde/Cowes/Yarmouth and Newport: 50)

June 2012 Widespread flooding across south-west Sussex, Predominantly surface water flooding although complex

47

Groundwater and Surface Water

Year Location Watercourse

including:

Felpham and Bognor Regis (251), East Witterings (60), Littlehampton (40), Earnley (20)

interactions with fluvial systems particularly the Aldingbourne and Barnham Rifes

2010 Emsworth (22)

June 2003 Hastings and Bexhill (>50)

Winter 2002/03

Test and Itchen catchment (45)

2000/01 Upper Test and Itchen catchment (222)

2000 Bevendean (>25), Hambledon (96),Havant (25), Portsmouth (100), Wickham (22)

1995 Upper Test and Itchen catchment (58), Polegate/Wannock/Eastbourne (56)

December 1993

Widespread flooding from the River Lavant including Chichester and Barnham (98). Over 200 properties in total.

River Lavant

1987 Rottingdean (66)

Figure 9: Wallington flood event, January 2014

48

Flood risk from rivers and the sea

River Flooding

The majority of the main rivers draining into the sea are tidally influenced and this can have an impact on flooding even inland. Towns and settlements such as Lewes and Arundel are at risk of tidal flooding, particularly when river levels are already high. There are also areas that become ‘tide-locked’ during high tides when the catchment cannot drain naturally out to sea, such as Ryde, Bognor Regis, Eastbourne, Pevensey Levels, Pett Levels and Romney Marsh. In some of these locations, pumps or storage areas within the watercourses can be used to mitigate against the effects of ‘tide-locking’. Another example can be found at the lower end of the River Stour where the Stonar Cut was constructed in 1776 under an Act of Parliament in order to alleviate potential flooding to farmland in the area upstream of Sandwich.

Within the river basin district there are a number of rivers which react very quickly to heavy rainfall. These are typically situated in steep valleys where the topography combines with impermeable geology. The greatest impacts are felt where these watercourses are located in urban areas, such as the Hollington Stream in Hastings, the Scrasebridge Stream in Haywards Heath and the River Dour at Dover. Similar issues are experienced in areas where watercourses have been artificially constricted such as through culverting.

Groundwater fed rivers will only flow when groundwater levels are high, such as the River Lavant in Chichester, the Winterbourne Stream in Lewes and the Nailbourne in east Kent. In 1993 to 1994 the River Lavant caused widespread flooding through its valley with significant flooding in Chichester city centre. Improvements were carried out during and after the 2000 floods resulting in the River Lavant Flood Alleviation Scheme which was completed in 2003.

The South East has continued to see increased urbanisation and intensification of land management practices. This has had significant influence on the nature of fluvial and surface water flood risk, increasing the rate of surface water run-off and the way in which the rivers respond. This presents challenges in both managing and forecasting flood risk. However, land use management also presents an opportunity in managing flood risk, and working with landowners will be an important part of this across the river basin district.

Figure 10: Flooding St Leonards from the Hollington Stream, 2009

Coastal and Tidal Flooding

Coastal flooding and erosion are major issues given a large percentage of the population live in coastal areas. The coastline is vulnerable to tidal surges moving along the English Channel and down from the North Sea and when coupled with high tides, can leave low lying areas at risk of flooding.

49

The coastline of the South East has variable topography and geology. It is a dynamic and continually changing environment - from the low sandy cliffs of the New Forest, through the marshlands and sheltered harbours of the Solent, the exposed shingle beaches of West Sussex to the high chalk cliffs of East Sussex and Kent. With the effects of climate change and sea level rise beaches, cliffs and defences protecting people and property are under constant threat. Defending against this is costly and often complex due to the dynamic nature of the coastline.

The South East Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme began in 2002, with local councils, the Environment Agency and the Channel Coast Observatory work together to provide a cost effective method of monitoring the English coastline. The information gathered is essential for coastal managers to provide sustainable long term protection from the sea.

The management of shingle beaches is an essential part of flood and coastal erosion risk management on the south east coast by both local councils and the Environment Agency. Many coastal defence schemes within the southeast region now involve solutions such as beach recharge and beach recycling to replace shingle lost during storms or through the process of long-shore-drift. Coastal protection can also be provided by hard, artificial defences such as concrete sea walls or earth embankments. The Sandwich Town tidal defence scheme is a partnership between the Environment Agency, Pfizer and Kent County Council and began construction in 2013. The scheme will provide increased protection to 488 homes and 94 commercial properties in Sandwich.

Coastal Erosion

Most coasts have a tendency to erode due to waves attacking the shore. This is the case under stable sea levels but erosion is likely to accelerate under sea level rise. Whilst the base of a cliff is in places protected from erosion by seawalls, the cliff tops themselves can still be prone to retreat or the whole cliff susceptible to land sliding. Land sliding can be aided by water levels in the cliff making them particularly vulnerable in wet periods. Cliff erosion is an episodic process with events of cliff collapse in any location being interspersed with years or several decades of stability. Other than cliff erosion, which permanently removes rock from the cliff, the erosion or loss of beach from one location is reversible by moving the beach material from the area where is has accumulated back to the area of loss.

Figure 11: Coastal erosion at Birling Gap, 2015

50

Table 10: Summary of flood risk to people, economic activity and the natural and historic environment across the South East river basin district

River and Sea Total in river basin

district

High risk Medium risk

Low risk Very low risk

Risk to people: Number of people in river basin district:

3,718,400 36,200 45,300 179,300 5,750

Number of services: 6,460 230 190 410 10

Risk to economic activity: Number of non-residential properties:

390,350 7,750 7,650 20,200 500

Number of airports: 4 1 0 1 0 Length of ‘A’ roads (km): 1,610 20 40 90 <10 Length of railway (km): 900 30 40 70 <10 Agricultural land (ha):

547,550 18,250 14,600 21,700 50

Risk to the natural and historic environment:

Number of EU designated bathing waters within 50m:

30 27 0 1 0

Number of EPR installations within 50m:

118 12 3 7 2

Area of SAC within area (ha): 58,200 3,900 800 1,600 <50 Area of SPA within area (ha): 40,850 5,500 1,200 1,500 <50 Area of RAMSAR site within area (ha):

41,450 5,700 3,400 1,750 <50

Area of World Heritage Site within area (ha):

50 0 0 0 0

Area of SSSI within area (ha): 76,300 9,900 5,750 6,500 <50 Area of Parks and Gardens within area (ha):

12,300 200 100 150 <50

Area of Scheduled Ancient Monument within area (ha):

3,350 200 50 100 <50

Number of Listed Buildings within area:

32,860 790 750 1,790 30

Number of Licensed water abstractions within the area:

2,430 810 160 200 <10

Note: SAC - Special Area of Conservation SPA - Special Protection Area SSSI - Site of Special Scientific Interest Ramsar - wetland site of international importance EPR installations - those registered under the Environmental Permitting Regulations For definitions of risk categories please refer to pages 13-14

51

Figure 12: Flood risk from rivers and the sea – risk to people

52

Figure 13: Flood risk from rivers and the sea - Risk to economic activity

53

Figure 14: Flood risk from rivers and the sea - risk to the Natural and Historic environment

54

Flood risk from reservoirs Under the Reservoirs Act 1975 (and subsequent revisions under the Flood and Water Management Act, 2010) the Environment Agency regulates all reservoirs with a capacity of 25,000 cubic metres or more, which could escape in the event of a dam failure (it is proposed this will change to 10,000 cubic metres). The Environment Agency is currently reclassifying ‘high-risk reservoirs’. In the future the Environment Agency will continue to maintain a register of all reservoirs with a capacity of over 25,000 cubic metres, but will only fully regulate those designated ‘high-risk’.

Enforcement action may then be taken to seek improvements in some circumstances. The ‘flood risk map for reservoirs’ for the South East river basin district, which can be found on the GOV.UK website, shows what is at risk, including people, economic activity and the environment.

The statistics and maps below illustrate the extent of reservoir flood risk across the South East river basin district.

Table 11: Summary flood risk from reservoirs to people, economic activity and the natural and historic environment across the South East river basin district

Reservoirs Total in river basin

district Maximum extent of

flooding

Risk to people:

Number of people in river basin district : 3,718,400 16,500

Number of services: 6,460 60

Risk to economic activity:

Number of non-residential properties: 390,350 2,600

Number of airports: 4 0

Length of “A” roads (km): 1,610 10

Length of railway (km): 900 20

Agricultural land (ha): 547,550 4,800

Risk to the natural and historic environment:

Number of EU designated bathing waters within 50m: 30 1

Number of EPR installations within 50m: 118 3

Area of SAC within area (ha): 58,200 550

Area of SPA within area (ha): 40,850 550

Area of RAMSAR site within area (ha): 41,450 700

Area of World Heritage Site within area (ha): 50 0

Area of SSSI within area (ha): 76,300 1,500

Area of Parks and Gardens within area (ha): 12,300 100

Area of Scheduled Ancient Monument within area (ha): 3,350 50

Number of Listed Buildings within area: 32,860 220

Number of Licensed water abstractions within the area: 2,430 160

Note: SAC - Special Area of Conservation SPA - Special Protection Area SSSI - Site of Special Scientific Interest Ramsar - wetland site of international importance EPR installations - those registered under the Environmental Permitting Regulations For definitions of risk categories please refer to pages 13-14

55

Figure 15: Reservoir flood risk – risk to people

56

Figure 16: Reservoir flood risk - Risk to Economic Activity

57

Figure 17: Reservoir flood risk - Risk to the Natural and Historic environment

58

Flood risk from surface water Surface water flooding is a problem across the south-east. Lead local flood authorities are responsible for managing the risk of flooding from surface water, defined as rainwater on the ground surface that hasn’t entered a watercourse, drain or sewer. This type of flooding can begin to occur within minutes of intense rain, so it is almost impossible to forecast. It is good practice to plan for drains and watercourses becoming overwhelmed in a flood, for example by analysing the flow paths that floodwater may take. Once these are known, steps can be taken to ensure they are kept free from obstructions and to consider whether roads and open space can be used to safely channel water away.

Surface water flooding is of particular concern in urban areas where there is a high proportion of impermeable surfaces, which limit the amount of infiltration that can take place. Surface water usually only lasts a short time (a few hours) and is relatively shallow (less than 0.5m) unless combined with flooding from other sources. In addition to Brighton and Hove, which most recently experienced severe flooding in July 2014, surface water flooding is known to be a problem in many other towns and cities across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Sussex and Kent. For example in June 2012 extensive surface water flooding also occurred in Emsworth and around the Bognor Regis area whilst areas of Eastbourne, Hythe and Folkestone flooded in 2013.

The Environment Agency and lead local flood authorities across the river basin district work closely with local planning authorities and developers to ensure that the drainage systems of new developments do not increase the risk of surface water flooding. Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) are measures which limit site run-off and can filter out some silt and contaminants. Common types of SuDS are ponds which fluctuate in level with rainfall, swales (wide grass ditches), soakaways and permeable pavements (block paving, sometimes with gravel beneath). The approach to be adopted requires infiltration to be considered first, then attenuation and discharge to a watercourse as the next options. Only if these are impractical should attenuation with discharge to a sewer be considered. Retro-fitting of SuDS to existing buildings and land is also a way of reducing peak flows in drains, sewers and watercourses and so helping to reduce flooding and pollution.

Prior to April 2015 the Environment Agency was also a statutory consultee for large developments, greater than 1ha in size in flood zone 1 (i.e. in areas at low risk of flooding from rivers and the sea). However, since 15 April 2015 this duty has now passed onto the Lead Local Flood Authorities who now provide local planning authorities with comments on surface water management for new development. This includes review of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) associated with new development.

Figure 18: Surface water flooding in Elmer, West Sussex, June 2012

59

Table 12: Summary flood risk from surface water to people, economic activity and the natural and historic environment across the South East river basin district

Surface Water Total in river basin

district

High risk Medium risk

Low risk

Risk to people:

Number of people in river basin district: 3,718,400 31,300 58,000 266,200

Number of services: 6,460 90 130 530

Risk to economic activity:

Number of non-residential properties: 390,350 4,600 6,100 26,600

Number of airports: 4 0 0 0

Length of “A” roads (km): 1,600 70 70 220

Length of railway (km): 900 40 40 120

Agricultural land (ha): 547,550 8,550 5,900 23,400

Risk to the natural and historic environment:

Number of EU designated bathing waters within 50m:

30 6 3 5

Number of EPR installations within 50m: 118 42 16 30

Area of SAC within area (ha): 58,200 900 500 1,800

Area of SPA within area (ha): 40,850 850 450 1,950

Area of RAMSAR site within area (ha): 41,450 950 550 2,300

Area of World Heritage Site within area (ha):

50 <50 <50 <50

Area of SSSI within area (ha): 76,300 1,500 950 3,900

Area of Parks and Gardens within area (ha):

12,300 200 100 400

Area of Scheduled Ancient Monument within area (ha):

3,350 50 50 100

Number of Listed Buildings within area: 32,860 160 200 950

Number of Licensed water abstractions within the area:

2,430 540 190 350

60

Figure 19: Surface Water flood risk - risk to people in Brighton and Hove Flood Risk Area

61

Figure 20: Surface water flood risk - risk to economic activity in Brighton and Hove flood risk area

62

Figure 21: Surface water flood risk - Risk to the Natural and Historic Environment

63

Flood risk from groundwater Groundwater flooding within the river basin district is a significant problem largely due to the geology of the region and low-lying nature of extensive lengths of the coastline, with the exception of the New Forest and Isle of Wight which only have minor groundwater issues. Groundwater flooding is particularly problematic on the chalk catchments across the river basin district extending from the River Test in the west through to the River Dour in the far east of Kent. Chalk bedrock dominates the middle of the district, this can give rise to groundwater flooding in late winter and early spring when there has been prolonged spells of wet weather.

The areas that are most susceptible to groundwater flooding include the Test and Itchen, Meon Valley, Hambledon, Rowlands Castle, the Petham Bourne, Alkham Bourne and the Nailbourne, which all flooded during 2014. In addition to this, these locations also saw major groundwater flooding events in the year of 2000 to 2001. The Upper Ems and Lavant flooded over the winter of 1993 to 1994 leading to significant emergency response efforts. Areas within Brighton and Hove are also highly susceptible to groundwater flooding with records going back to the 1870s.

In addition extensive lengths of the coastal plain are susceptible to groundwater flooding because of their low elevations, including Farlington Marshes, Bognor Regis, Shoreham Airport, Pevensey Levels, the Combe Haven Valley and Romney Marshes.

Groundwater flooding, although quite predictable, can be extremely difficult to manage and protect against. When the porous rocks become saturated, water rises to the surface and can then start flowing above ground causing a risk to properties and infrastructure. When groundwater is particularly high, springs and artesian flows can occur within dry valleys, where flood flows are not usually experienced. High groundwater can also cause ingress into sewers through pipe joints which reduces available capacity for other flow.

Flood risk from canals In the Rother catchment the Royal Military Canal runs from Pett to Hythe covering a distance of 32 kilometres. During summer months water is retained in the Royal Military Canal, by raising tilting weirs at either end, to provide a source of water for irrigation and ‘wet fencing’ across Romney Marsh. During winter months this process is reversed, with the weirs being lowered to reduce the water level, enabling excess water to drain out to sea via outfalls to help prevent flooding

The Wey and Arun Canal runs from Surrey into West Sussex. This canal is being restored and on completion it will form an aquatic link between the Thames and South East river basin districts. The Environment Agency work closely with the Canal Trust to ensure that flood risk is managed on a daily basis as part of their routine maintenance and taken into consideration as they restore further lengths of canal. This partnership is particularly relevant as the canal passes through several flood plains and if there was a breach or inundation of the canal upstream, flood flows could be passed downstream at a greater rate. Other Canals include the Chichester Canal and Itchen Navigation.

Flood risk from sewers Sewer flooding can occur because of hydraulic incapacity. Sewerage systems are not designed to accommodate flows from exceptional rainfall events. The standard sewer design criteria is to prevent internal flooding from rainfall events up to a 1 in 30 year storm return period and external flooding from events up to a 1 in 20 year storm return period. Sewers built before these capacity standards were introduced may have even less capacity to deal with increased flows from heavy or prolonged rainfall events. High groundwater in the river basin district can also increase the flows through the sewerage systems due to groundwater infiltration. In some locations groundwater levels can become higher than the sewers, allowing groundwater to enter the system through any cracks or faulty joints. Sewer flooding can also result from sewer collapses. This is a particular issue in the older parts of the network where sewers have seen deterioration. Sewers can silt up, get blocked by tree roots, fats and oils and non-degradable items being poured down sinks, drains and flushed down toilets.

64

Find out more:

Interactive flood maps for flooding from rivers, the sea, reservoirs and surface water http://watermaps.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby/wiyby.aspx? lang=_e&topic=floodmap&layer#x=357683&y=355134&scale=2

South East RBMP https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/river-basin-management-plan-update

Current Ecological and Chemical Status of Water Bodies http://maps.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby/wiybyController?x=357683&y=355134&scale=1&layerGroups=default&ep=map&textonly=off&lang=_e&topic=wfd_rivers#x=466704&y=403302&lg=1,7,8,9,5,6,&scale=3

The Environment Agency maintenance programme for rives and sea htps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/river-and-coastal-maintenance-programme

65

7 Sub-areas in the South East river basin district Introduction There are a number of sub-areas within the South East river basin district. These sub-areas and the flood risk issues in them are described in more detail in Part B: Sub-areas in the South East river basin district.

Flood Risk Areas (identified in the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment): areas that require

flood risk management plans for local sources of flooding.

Catchments (which are set out according to Water Framework Directive Management Catchments)

Flood Risk Areas There is one Flood Risk Area in the river basin district. This was identified through the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment process as an area of potentially significant local flood risk (for instance surface run-off, groundwater and ordinary watercourses), for which a FRMP needed to be prepared.

Brighton and Hove Flood Risk Area. The Brighton and Hove Flood Risk Area coincides with Brighton and Hove City Council’s unitary boundary.

Management catchments These are areas where engagement is focused to enable a catchment based approach to water management. There are 9 Water Framework Directive catchments in the South East river basin district, as listed below and shown in Figure 15:

New Forest

Isle of Wight

Test and Itchen

East Hampshire

Arun and Western Streams

Adur and Ouse

Cuckmere and Pevensey Levels

Rother and Romney

Stour

66

Figure 22: Catchments in the South East river basin district

67

8 Conclusions, objectives and measures to manage risk for the South East river basin district This plan sets out the type of measures undertaken to manage flood and coastal erosion risk. In developing the measures the risk management authorities contributing have:

drawn conclusions from hazard and risk maps and other sources of information: this helps us all to understand the risks or opportunities the risk management authorities are aiming to manage

developed risk management objectives (related to people and society, the economy and the environment) that set out the outcomes risk management authorities are trying to achieve

identified the likely approach to managing risk: using the following categories: preventing, preparing, protecting and recovering and review

Not all actions and work programmes that are undertaken by risk management authorities are detailed in this plan. This flood risk management plan does not replace the existing plans and strategies listed in Table 5. More detail on local flood risk and the actions lead local flood authorities and local councils are undertaking can be found in these plans and strategies. Local councils and the Environment Agency can be contacted for further information.

Those conclusions, objectives and measures applicable across the South East river basin district are set out in this section. This section provides an overview of the common flooding issues experienced across the river basin district.

Conclusions, objectives and measures specific to each of the sub-areas (Flood Risk Area and Catchments) are set out in more detail Part B: Sub areas in the South East River Basin District.

The December floods have emphasised the need to be sure we have in place and implement the very best possible plans for flood management across the whole country. In response to these floods the Government has put in place a National Flood Resilience Review and Local Flood Partnerships in Cumbria and Yorkshire. It is working to strengthen or establish partnerships in the areas most affected by the December 2015 floods to encourage a more integrated approach to managing risk across the whole catchment.

The outcomes of these initiatives will strengthen partnership working and complement the flood risk measures within the Flood Risk Management Plan to further reduce flood risk and increase resilience.

Conclusions

Flood risk from rivers and the sea

In the South East river basin district 7% of the 3.7 million people who live in the river basin district are at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea, with over 36,000 people being considered at high risk (more than a 1 in 30 (3.3%) chance of being flooded in any year). In the river basin district, the population is concentrated in the coastal towns, with many of these towns having large elderly populations. Where these towns are located in the low-lying coastal plain, the combined effects of fluvial, tidal and coastal flooding present complex challenges for flood risk management. Flooding can have a significant impact on the local economy and in the South East river basin district 9% of non-residential properties, 10% of the total length of ‘A’ roads and 17% of the total length of railway are at risk of flooding from rivers and the sea.

68

River Flooding

Fluvial flood risk varies across the South East river basin district with differences in local geology and topography, urbanisation and land use. Rivers such as the Test, Itchen and Meon are dominated by groundwater flows and reach their maximum annual flows at the end of prolonged wet periods, such as during winter of 2013 to 2014. In contrast the river basin district also has a number of watercourses that respond rapidly to rainfall events, which present different challenges to flood risk management. Flood risk management activities are influenced by a number of factors including significant flood events. Many of the recent flood events in the river basin district have resulted in significant investment in flood risk management by risk management authorities.

Coastal and Tidal Flooding

There are many thousands of properties behind sea and tidal defences which protect them from a flood with a 1 in 200 chance in any given year. These defences range from the active management of shingle beaches to the construction and maintenance of hard defences such as concrete sea walls. Those living and working here may become complacent about flood risk due to the high standard of flood protection generally afforded by defences. However, an extreme flood or a defence failure could still pose a major hazard to people and property due to possible sudden inundation. In addition many of the coastal and tidal defences in the river basin district are coming to an end of their functional life, and difficult decisions must soon be made about the sustainability of these defences.

Five shoreline management plans (SMPs) cover the South East river basin district (Table 5). They provide a large-scale, high-level assessment of the risks associated with coastal evolution including the added pressures from sea level rise and present a policy framework to address these risks to people and the developed, historic and natural environment in a sustainable manner.

Figure 23: Beach management works at Seaford

Coastal Erosion

Coastal erosion risk management is closely linked to managing flood risk from the sea. Under the Coast Protection Act (1949) and Flood and Water Management Act (2010) the organisations responsible for managing coastal erosion within the river basin district are Maritime District and Borough councils and the Environment Agency. Coastal erosion affects many locations across the river basin district with examples of natural cliff retreat including Hordle Cliff, the Isle of Wight, Birling Gap, Seven Sisters Country Park, Fairlight and the east Kent coastline around Dover. The rate at which erosion is happening varies depending on location and the geology.

69

Reservoirs

In the South East river basin district there are 75 large raised reservoirs that hold at least 25,000m3 of water. The chances of a reservoir failing and causing flooding are very low however the extent of flooding from a reservoir can be widespread. In the south east river basin district there are approximately 16,500 people, 2,600 non-residential properties, 10km of ‘A’ roads, 20km of railways and 1,800 hectares of internationally designated environment at risk of flooding from reservoirs. Reservoirs can also be effective in storing excess flood flows and reducing risk downstream. Good examples include Aldington and Hothfield on the Great and East Stour that reduce the risk of flooding in Ashford and Mill Leese Flood Storage Area at Saltwood, which protects 72 properties.

Surface Water There are approximately 356,000 people and 37,000 non-residential properties at risk from surface water flooding across the South East river basin district. Within this number are the 43,000 people at risk in the Brighton and Hove Flood Risk Area, which is the only Flood Risk Area located within this river basin district.

Surface water flooding is difficult to manage due to often rapid onset and considerable variability in extent. Updated surface water flood maps released in December 2013 provide information on locations modelled to be most at risk from this type of flooding, although with surface water flooding also being closely linked to the nature of the local drainage system it is often difficult to predict exactly where and when it may occur.

Lead local flood authorities are responsible for producing a local flood risk management strategy for managing surface water flooding, along with flooding from other local sources within their area. These strategies provide details of locations, the nature of their risk, past history and any associated actions planned to reduce or mitigate the effects of local flooding.

Groundwater

Groundwater flooding is generally experienced over a longer timescale than with fluvial and coastal flooding and can extend over several months causing basement flooding and disruption to local roads and sewerage systems. Groundwater flooding comes under the jurisdiction of the lead local flood authorities who are responsible for recording any flood event, commissioning works to address groundwater flooding and producing a local flood risk management strategy for managing groundwater flooding within their district. Lead local flood authorities support communities to minimise the impact of groundwater flooding through community resilience activities such as community emergency flood plans.

Figure 24: Groundwater flooding in Brown Candover

70

Canals

Canals can alleviate flood risk due to the large storage volume represented by a small level increase along several kilometres of waterbody. They can also move water artificially within or between a catchment and delay the timing of flood peaks. However, canals constitute linear impoundments of significant bodies of water between locks and potential temporary closure points. Flood risk can arise if an embankment breaches where a canal is on ground above the level of nearby property, or a culvert beneath the canal collapses. The nature of this type flooding, although very rare, means that it can be serious and happens without warning.

Sewers Southern Water Services is the principal sewer operator within the river basin district and they manage a vast network of sewer pipes, pumping stations and drainage systems. Sewer flooding can be of particular concern when it enters homes, given the contaminants that can be released into the water. When fluvial or surface water flooding occurs in urban areas, the flood water can often interact with the sewer network causing foul water to mix with flood waters which in turn can cause a risk to public health.

Partnership Working

There are 9 strategic flood risk Partnership Groups in the river basin district. These bring together lead local flood authorities, district and borough councils, the Environment Agency and Southern Water Services. These groups work together to provide mutual benefit and produce better outcomes for people and property at risk of flooding.

In addition there are many other partnership groups within the river basin district, including Local Enterprise Partnerships, the Southern and South East Coastal Groups, internal drainage boards (IDBs), Local Resilience Forums, River Trusts, Wildlife Trusts, Marine Management Organisation, Harbour Boards, Conservancy Councils and numerous community groups.

Objectives to manage risk for the South East river basin district The objectives below for the South East river basin district were established with input from a range of stakeholders, are structured around aspects of sustainability and are compatible with the second cycle river basin management plan. They have been developed from existing plans and strategies and public consultation.

Social 1. Minimise impact to people, property and to critical infrastructure and services from all

sources of flooding and coastal erosion, increasing the focus on community resilience

2. Protect and enhance sustainable recreational and amenity opportunities where appropriate, recognising the important contribution of income from these activities to river and coastal management.

3. Promote the consideration of environmental benefits to people (ecosystem services) as part of work to manage flood risk

4. Raise community awareness and understanding of all sources of flooding and coastal erosion and support community preparedness and resilience

5. Protect and enhance the landscape character values of the river basin district alongside sites of cultural, archaeological and historical value from flooding

71

Economic 6. Minimise flood risk impact to the local economy, and seek opportunities to promote

economic growth, regeneration and partnership funding

7. Promote the use of sustainable drainage systems to help reduce pressure on existing drainage networks

8. Minimise the risk of flooding to key transport links within the catchment, such as railway lines, motorways and primary roads

9. Ensure development in areas at risk of flooding is appropriate, does not increase flood risk and reduces risk wherever possible

Environmental

10. Contribute to achieving Water Framework Directive objectives, working with natural river, estuarine and coastal processes wherever possible to manage flood risk through protecting and enhancing the natural function of the catchments, rivers and flood plains

11. Promote sustainable soil and land use management across the river basin district

12. Conserve and enhance biodiversity, internationally and nationally designated nature conservation sites, and promote opportunities to create freshwater habitat when managing flood risk

13. Support climate change adaptation by making space for water, both inland and at the coast

Other 14. Increase partnership working between risk management authorities, communities,

landowners and other groups/organisations in the management of flood and coastal erosion risk

15. Continue appropriate and affordable levels of river, watercourse, tidal and coastal defence maintenance to reduce the risk of flooding to people and property

Measures across the South East river basin district Many measures are specific to a catchment or smaller area such as communities. However there are some important measures which apply across the entire river basin district. Below is a summary of these river basin wide measures. More detailed catchment measures are available in the catchment summaries in Part B, and the full table of measures is included in Part C. Measures in FRMPs do not all have secured funding and are not guaranteed to be implemented. Money is allocated to all RMA measures in the same way and is based on current Government policy that gives the highest priority to lives and homes. Measures included are over and above RMA ‘flood risk management activities’ undertaken routinely, as explained in Section 4 – How to Manage Risk. The measures cover discrete pieces of work such as projects and campaigns. The only measures included in this plan are those that are ongoing or are proposed to begin during the period of 2015 to 2021.

Across the 6-year investment programme 2015 to 2021 63,000 households are planned to be protected from flooding, with an additional 8,000 households to be protected from coastal erosion. Further to this 205ha of water-dependent and 120ha of intertidal habitat are programmed to be protected or created.

Preventing risk: 6 Measures

Hydraulic modelling – Hydraulic modelling to simulate flood flows in rivers and from this predict flood levels, extents and frequencies for a wide range of uses. Coastal modelling looks at a combination of astronomical tides and storm surges in conjunction with wave overtopping to assess the risk if inundation in coastal areas.

72

Development planning and control – Environment Agency supports and advises Local Planning Authorities to prevent inappropriate development in flood plains, ensure new developments are at minimum flood risk both now and in the future and does not increase flood risk elsewhere. The Environment Agency and lead local flood authorities issue flood defence consents for works within, or adjacent to watercourses and flood defences to ensure they do not increase flood risk elsewhere.

Enforcement – Environment Agency and lead local flood authorities can undertake, where necessary, enforcement action against riparian landowners to carry out maintenance for the purpose of minimising flood risk, or to ensure access to watercourses or structures is preserved for maintenance by others. Enforcement can also be undertaken for non-compliance with the flood defence consenting process.

Support sustainable economic growth – Environment Agency and Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) liaison to seek and deliver partnership funding for Flood and Coastal Risk Management work and sustainable economic growth:

Continue to work with Solent Local Enterprise Partnership on Itchen Riverside Flood Mitigation Scheme

Continue to work with Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership on Shoreham Adur Tidal Walls Scheme, Newhaven Flood Alleviation Scheme, Shoreham Western Harbour Arm Flood Defence Improvements Scheme

Continue to work with South East Local Enterprise Partnership on Newhaven Flood Alleviation Scheme

Community Resilience – Lead local flood authorities, local councils and Environment Agency work with local communities to help them become better prepared for flooding and empowered to prevent or mitigate its impacts.

Flood Risk Mapping and modelling – flood risk maps can be improved and updated when new topographic data is available. After flood events occur, more data may be available to calibrate or refine models. When flood defence improvements are completed, these can be represented in a model to give a more accurate reflection of flood risk in a given area. Flood risk models may also be used in scheme design and appraisal of options

Preparing for risk: 7 measures

Flood forecasting and warning – Use real time rainfall, river level and coastal data to provide a flood warning service to areas at risk of flooding.

Review of telemetry and rain gauge network – Strategic review of river level, flow, groundwater telemetry and rain gauges networks to allow future needs and long term investment planning to be developed.

Incident planning and management – Risk management authorities plan and prepare for flooding by developing both individual and multi-agency incident response plans, run exercises to test these and incident debriefs to improve them.

Engagement – Engage with communities, risk management authorities, Local Resilience Forums and others to raise awareness of flooding, identify opportunities and constraints, increase community resilience and work together to take action to minimise flood risk and its impacts.

Review compliance with Eel Regulations - Undertake a mid-plan cycle review of progress on the projected compliance of Flood Risk Management infrastructure with Eel Regulations (2009), as being delivered under the Integrated Environment Programme (IEP) within the South East river basin district, in particular to meet compliance with ‘legacy’ structures by 2021.

All Environment Agency ‘high risk’ reservoirs have on-site reservoir plans in place.

73

Further work to refine the ‘Communities at Risk’ dataset - take mapped clusters of properties at risk of fluvial and tidal flooding (and other flooding sources with support from lead local flood authorities) and look at options for possible flood risk measures. Engagement with communities is important, so that past history and current constraints and opportunities can be understood.

Protecting from risk: 8 measures

Asset management – Assess whole life costs and set optimum regime for maintaining and replacing assets (structures such as flood walls, channel walls and pumping stations) to manage flood risk in each river system.

Maintenance – Every catchment is different so the most suitable maintenance procedure will vary across and within catchments. The Environment Agency has permissive powers to undertake maintenance activities on the main river network. These activities often include some or all of the following; aquatic weed cutting in main river and tributaries, inspection, maintenance and clearing of sluices and weed screens, routine grass cutting. In coastal areas beaches are re-profiled and recharged after storm damage. Lead local flood authorities and other risk management authorities have equivalent permissive powers to undertake maintenance on their networks on a risk basis, however the responsibility for maintaining watercourses sits with the riparian owners. Risk management authorities will advise riparian owners what work they should do and how.

Strategic Plans – Implement actions from strategic plans, including Shoreline Management Plans; Catchment Flood Management Plans; Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategies; and local flood risk management strategies associated with managing coastal erosion and flood risk from all sources

Incident response – The Environment Agency as a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act (2004) is available to respond to flooding incidents on a 24-hour/365 day basis. Continual monitoring of telemetry and forecasting systems, onsite inspections and reports from the public informs their response. Operational staff; operate structures such as flood gates and pumping stations, clear obstructions from screens on culverts in anticipation of, and during periods of heavy rainfall and high river levels.

Incorporate Climate Change allowances into flood risk management works - Impacts from a changing climate will be considered in plans for location-specific works to reduce flood risk from all sources. Additional provision will be made during original design and construction, or may be deferred until later but allowance made in the design of structures (such as larger wall foundation) to facilitate this. Revised guidance for risk management authorities is scheduled for publication early in 2016 and will recommend use of scenarios and allowances by river basin district which are contained in the recently released ‘Planning Decisions and Climate Change’ guidance for local council planners

Identify where working with natural processes/natural flood management can help to reduce flood and coastal erosion risk and help catchments both adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of Climate Change - Produce working with natural processes opportunity maps to show where these measures could help:

reduce flood and coastal erosion risk

catchments both adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of Climate Change

improve water quality

improve the environment

Woodland planting opportunity maps have already been produced, these identify where planting trees could reduce flood risk and improve water quality. In 2015 to 2017 these maps will be expanded to cover a wider range of working with natural processes measures for example installation of woody debris to help reduce fluvial flows.

74

Planting trees could have an additional role in mitigating against increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions they also can help shade watercourses helping fish species adapt to increasing water temperatures.

Review land allocation and opportunities for de-culverting and flood storage - In its role as a statutory consultee, the Environment Agency will advise local planning authorities to cross-reference housing and employment sites with watercourse locations and identify appropriate opportunities for de-culverting and flood storage in their Strategic Flood Risk Assessments and housing allocation documents.

Improvement works – Identify potential options and promote works to reduce the likelihood of flooding in areas where modelling has shown that there is an unacceptable risk, that have flooded in the past, and where it is cost beneficial to do so, creating a prioritised programme of flood risk management works.

Some examples of large schemes planned to start construction in 2015 to 2016 are:

Newhaven Flood Alleviation Scheme

Shoreham Adur Tidal Walls Scheme

Northern Sea Wall Beach Management Works (Reculver to Birchington-on-sea)

Recovery and review of risk: 2 measures

Investigations – Lead local flood authorities have a statutory duty under Flood and Water Management Act section 19 to carry out post flood event investigations, producing and publishing a report for significant events. These will highlight lessons learnt and promote better management practices in the future. Other risk management authorities may voluntarily choose to undertake investigations as appropriate.

Learn from flood events – Risk management authorities continue to improve and develop services based on lessons identified following flooding, including feedback from communities and partners.

Underpinning all of the actions above is the principle that risk management authorities will work in a way which conserves the environment and enhances it where possible.

Flood risk management plan contributing to broader benefits The strategic aims, objectives and principles of the National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management are outlined in section 4. The overall aim of the strategy is ‘to ensure the risk of flooding and coastal erosion is properly managed by using the full range of options in a co-ordinated way’. The strategy promotes the development of broader benefits to communities related to flood risk management through a range of guiding principles i.e.

Community focus and partnership working

A catchment and coastal cell based approach

Sustainability

Proportionate, risk based approaches

Multiple benefits

Beneficiaries should be encouraged to invest in risk management

The specific guiding principles for ‘Sustainability’ and ‘Multiple benefits’ more specifically cover how:

Risk management authorities should manage risks in ways that take account of all impacts

Flood risk management solutions should be adaptable to climate change

75

Flood risk management solutions should enhance the environment

The ability of communities to shape risk management actions to take account of local priorities

Flood and coastal risk management can bring significant economic, environmental and social benefits (‘It can enhance and protect the built, rural and natural environments, cultural heritage and biodiversity...’)

Flood and coastal risk management should avoid damaging the environment, including the historic environment

Flood and coastal risk management should wherever possible work with natural processes

Flood and coastal risk management should always seek to provide environmental benefit as required by the Habitats, Birds and Water Framework Directives

In taking forward the National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management, flood risk management plans have set out a range of social, economic and environmental objectives that include wider benefits alongside the delivery of flood risk management outcomes – see the following sections. These have been informed by considering how the flood risk management plan relates to other plans and wider policies and objectives, in particular, how the plan links to the river basin management plans to contribute to a more integrated approach to water management planning, and also to the priorities of Natura 2000 sites that are the subject of recent Site Improvement Plans.

Links with the South East river basin management plan

The main aims of the EU Water Framework Directive are to return rivers and the water environment to a state, as free from human influence as possible. Aspects of this include reversing some of the ways in which water bodies have been physically modified in the past, improving water quality and biodiversity and improving the quality of bathing waters. To achieve this, work by water companies, farmers and business is regulated by the Environment Agency and complemented by a programme of works by the Environment Agency and others to remove some structures from rivers.

The South East flood risk management plan promotes a range of benefits that will contribute to the South East river basin management plan through re-naturalisation, water quality improvements, bathing water improvements and natural flood management.

The following table summarises the Water Framework Directive outcomes expected to be delivered through flood risk management programmes by the end of the cycle 2 of the RBMP by 2021:

Table 13: River basin management plan outcomes related to flood risk management programmes by 2021

Type of FCERM programme actions No of actions

Hectares of water dependent habitat created or improved to help meet the objectives of WFD

Hectares of intertidal habitat created to help meet the objectives of WFD for protected areas

Kilometres of rivers protected under EU Habitats/ Birds Directive improved to help meet the objectives of WFD

FCERM actions in Site Improvement Plans of water dependent sites designated under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives that will deliver a WFD

4 1471 0 10

76

Type of FCERM programme actions No of actions

Hectares of water dependent habitat created or improved to help meet the objectives of WFD

Hectares of intertidal habitat created to help meet the objectives of WFD for protected areas

Kilometres of rivers protected under EU Habitats/ Birds Directive improved to help meet the objectives of WFD

outcome.

FCERM actions addressing remedies and threats to water dependent sites designated under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (SSSIs) that will deliver a WFD outcome.

3 11 0 0

FCERM actions addressing requirements for consent of flood works such as planning, EIA, HRA etc.

5 10 85 0

FCERM actions (over and beyond other measures) to ensure compliance with the RBMP.

1 70 0 0

FCERM actions that deliver WFD outcomes from works that contribute to the England Biodiversity Strategy.

1 80 0 0

FCERM actions that deliver WFD outcomes from works that contribute to the Eel Regulations.

8 No of eel barrier easements or removal = 8

Total 22 1642 85 10

South East opportunities for linked work

The Water Framework Directive sets appropriate objectives to manage, protect and improve the water environment. As part of this opportunities are being taken to return rivers and the water environment to as natural a state as possible. This involves removing redundant structures such as weirs, culverts, embankments and channel retaining walls and other work to make fish and eel passage easier. The Environment Agency’s ‘Integrated Environment Programme’ is targeting all of these. A key focus of the Water Framework Directive is improving water quality in rivers and bathing water quality along the south east coast, which can be adversely affected by discharges from the sewer network, or by industry, agriculture and diffuse sources such as roads. Freeing up capacity in sewers and drains is one way of reducing flood risk and potentially pollution and so helping to improve water quality. Sustainable drainage systems and other forms of run-off attenuation are a part of this solution.

The measures can also help us deliver broader benefits, in particular to biodiversity, water and ecological quality. In parallel to flood risk management planning, the Environment Agency works with others to improve the quality of the water environment through river basin management planning. The Environment Agency aims to co-ordinate effectively between the flood risk management plans and the river basin management plans so that all organisations can do more for the environment.

The Test and Itchen River Restoration project is an example of a project funded through the Environment Agency’s ‘Integrated Environment Programme’ that deliver environmental outcomes and contribute to the river basin management. The Environment Agency have a legal obligation jointly with Natural England to ensure that both the Rivers Test and Itchen are of good ecological status. The Rivers Test and Itchen are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. The River Itchen is also deemed to be

77

internationally important for its wildlife and habitats and is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the European Commission (EC) Habitats Directive.

Recent condition assessments undertaken by Natural England showed that the riverine units within both the SSSIs are in unfavourable condition. The Test and Itchen strategy document has developed a restoration plan for both rivers on a reach by reach basis. Resulting actions that are required are for river restoration, rehabilitation and conservation / enhancement and include bed level raising, channel narrowing and structure removal. Wherever possible these actions are delivered collaboratively with landowners and other partners and reduce flood risk.

Other Plans and Partnerships

Table 14 sets out the key themes from a review of the main other plans and strategies that the South East flood risk management plan would be expected to influence. The purpose of the review is to take account of the objectives of these key documents with a view to aligning and ensuring compliance of the plan with other policies and legislation. The plan review can also help to identify where other planning processes and organisations may be able to work with the flood risk management planning process. It is taken from the Environmental Report for the South East flood risk management plan.

Table 14: Key influences from the plans review

Category of plan /strategy

Common themes relevant to the FRMP Key plans

Water and flood risk management

Protection, improvement, sustainable management and use of the water environment in terms of quantity and quality – for the benefit of the human and natural environment.

Flood risk management measures could place pressure on water bodies and any measure to be implemented would have to be WFD compliant.

An update to the South East river basin management plan is being prepared in parallel to the FRMP. The strategic environmental assessment for the FRMP will include a check on the alignment with the RBMP.

The national flood and coastal erosion risk management strategy for England

Water for people and the environment: Water resources strategy for England and Wales

Water white paper: Water for life

Catchment Flood Risk Management Plans

Shoreline Management Plans

Surface Water Management Plans

South East river basin management plan

Biodiversity Protection and enhancement of important habitats and species, both from a statutory basis (International and National conservation designations and protected species) and through policy.

Promotion of coherent ecological networks.

Promotion of working with natural processes and sustainable development/management.

Tackling the issue of non native invasive species

Flood risk management measures could place pressure on habitats and species, and work against natural processes.

Natural environment white paper: The natural choice: Securing the value of nature

Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for England’s Wildlife and Ecosystem Services

Coastal squeeze: Implications for flood management. The requirements of The European Birds and Habitats Directives. Defra policy guidance.

The invasive and non-native species framework strategy for Great Britain

Investing in the South of England's natural assets, state value and vision

Landscape Protection of existing sensitive landscapes (such as National Parks and AONBs)

Promotion of actions to improve water quality

All Landscapes Matter

South Downs Partnership Management Plan

78

Category of plan /strategy

Common themes relevant to the FRMP Key plans

and water quantity, protect and enhance habitats, and restore the wider landscape character

Flood risk management measures could place pressure on sensitive landscapes, and lead to changes in water quality, quantity and change in habitat type.

New Forest National Park Management Plan

Isle of Wight AONB Management Plan

Chichester Harbour AONB Management Plan,

High Weald AONB Management Plan,

Kent Downs AONB Management Plan

Climate Long term aims for reduction of carbon dioxide emissions including binding targets, and wide-reaching policies across all sectors to deliver reductions.

Requirements to adapt to climate change and associated threats, the need for increased resilience to climate change.

Likely increase in flooding and coastal erosion due to climate change.

Managing the Environment in a Changing Climate

The national flood and coastal erosion risk management strategy for England

Marine and Coastal

Sustainable economic growth that balances benefits to society with the needs of local communities and protecting nature conservation.

Flood risk management measures can enable growth

Flood risk management measures would need to be in alignment with planning policies.

UK Marine Policy Statement

Marine Plan for South Inshore

Cultural heritage

Sustainable development in relation to historic assets through conservation and enhancement.

The historic environment could be affected by flood risk management measures, for example through the construction of new flood risk management schemes, implementation of fish/eel passage on flood risk management assets, etc and as such any such measures would need to be appropriately assessed.

The Government’s Statement on the Historic Environment for England 2010

Heritage at Risk 2013: South East

Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment

LLFA Core Strategies

Resource management

Promotion of sustainable waste and resource management and the protection and enhancement of the environment.

LLFA Minerals and Waste Plans

Planning Promotion of sustainable growth

Flood risk management measures can enable growth

Flood risk management measures would need to be in alignment with planning policies.

National Planning Policy Framework

LLFA Core Strategies

Forestry Protection, management and enhancement of woods and forests to provide economic, social and environmental benefits, for example managing flood risk in a sustainable way, and helping to reduce water pollution

Government Forestry and Woodlands Policy

79

Links to South East river basin district Designated Site Plans

The flood risk management plan aims to contribute to the specific plans of designated conservation sites and these are set out as proposed actions in specific plans. The actions are related to flood and coastal erosion risk management and the relevant risk management authorities. These include actions in the South East river basin district Site Improvement Plans for the following European designated sites:

Table 15: Natura 2000 sites with Site Improvement Plans in the South East river basin district

South East river basin district Natura 2000 sites with Site Improvement Plans

Arun Valley North East Kent (Thanet)

Ashdown Forest Pagham Harbour

Dover to Kingsdown Cliffs Pevensey Levels

Dungeness River Itchen

Emer Bog Solent

Hastings Cliffs Solent and Isle of Wight Lagoons

Isle of Wight Downs South Wight Maritime

New Forest Stodmarsh

Find out more:

National Planning policy Framework

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework--2

South East RBMP

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/river-basin-management-plan-update

80

9 Implementing the plan

Flood risk management plans (FRMPs) are produced every 6 years and describe the sources, risks and measures to manage flooding within a river basin and catchment. Implementing the measures in the FRMP will be carried out by risk management authorities (RMAs) working with partners and communities. RMAs are invited to submit details of proposed flood and coastal erosion risk management work to the Environment Agency who administer funds on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). These proposals are combined with Environment Agency proposed schemes and local regional flood and coastal committee (RFCC) funded projects to form a programme of work. Funding is allocated in line with government policy and priorities.

Not all of the measures identified will be implemented over the 6 year lifetime of this plan. Some measures require further work such as technical feasibility assessment, consultation with land and property owners, as well as assessing impacts on other river functions. Some measures may be disproportionately costly or unable to raise the necessary partnership funding to enable them to go ahead at this time. All of these issues are considered by the RFCCs, which are set up by Defra to scrutinise and approve the flood risk plans proposed by the Environment Agency (EA) and lead local flood authorities (LLFAs). There may be additional measures implemented alongside those in this plan on a national and local basis as a result of the National Flood Resilience Review and the work by the Local Flood Partnerships in Cumbria and Yorkshire.

The catchment based approach The catchment based approach encourages local engagement and participation in decision-making. As this plan is finalised and implemented engagement with relevant catchment partnerships will be ongoing in order to deliver flood risk management outcomes and broader benefits.

Monitoring delivery of measures During the planning and implementation cycle the Environment Agency will monitor progress in delivering the measures set out in the FRMP. Progress will be reported annually to the relevant Regional Flood and Coastal Committees and the FRMP will be reviewed every 6 years, as required by the Flood Risk Regulations.

LIT 10221