Pilot projects to investigate responses to flooding and coastal erosion

[Quoted]
by Roger Milne
5 January 2007

Environment minister, Ian Pearson, has announced a series of projects costing well over £2m, designed to test out new and innovative approaches to deal with flooding and coastal erosion.
One of the six pilot studies will involve South Hams District Council and the production of a coastal zone adaptation plan for the Slapton area which will explore how local communities can adapt to coastal erosion and its impact on transport links, environmental and heritage assets and the local economy. The studies are financed from the Innovation Fund.

Another pilot just announced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will see the Building Research Establishment and architects producing specific guidance on planning and designing sustainable housing and communities in flood plain areas.

The focus of a number of the other pilots will investigate the role of forestry in contributing to flood alleviation and how farmers can manage land use in coastal and flood plain areas to help reduce flood risks.

Pearson said: "Climate change will ratchet up the threats faced by communities, which is why we need to investigate new and different responses to dealing with flooding and coastal erosion."