The strategy is our plan to manage tidal flood and erosion risks around the Poole Bay area over the next 100 years.
We are carrying it out in partnership with the local authorities of Bournemouth, Poole, Purbeck and Dorset County. We are doing this to work out the best way to protect communities and the environment into the future as sea levels rise.
We held our first public exhibitions on 7 to 9 March 2011 at Branksome Dene Community Room, The Lighthouse at Poole, and Wareham Town Hall. They explained how the strategy will develop and described the flood and erosion risk around the bays and harbour now and in the future. We do not yet have any proposals for change to put forward, these will come later.
A copy of the exhibition boards, maps and the feedback form can be found here:
What is the strategy?
Flood risk and erosion management planning is undertaken at a range of scales. At the broadest level Shoreline Management Plans (SMP) set the policy context for flood risk and erosion planning over large areas.
Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategies (FCRMS) form part of the next tier of planning. They identify and assess measures for the eventual implementation of the policies identified within the SMP.
Poole Bay, Poole Harbour and Wareham fall within the study area for the Poole and Christchurch Bays Shoreline Management Plan Review. This SMP public consultation closed in February 2010 and the final report was approved in August 2011. Our strategy will develop the policies identified by the SMP Review into plans which detail flood and erosion risk management solutions at each problem area. This will include possible managed realignment.
Once it is completed and approved, the strategy will guide much of the flood, coast, beach and wildlife habitat protection work that we and the local authorities do in this area in the future.
The study area covers the length of coast from Durlston Head to Hengistbury Head. It includes Poole Harbour and the estuaries of the Frome and Piddle up to their tidal limits.
Our strategy has three main objectives:
- to define and agree a 100 year plan of investment for tidal flood and coastal erosion risk management by the Environment Agency and local authorities to protect local communities;
- to identify and prioritise other flood risk management activities such as providing advice to utility companies to protect important infrastructure, providing advice to planning authorities to control development in inappropriate areas, and investment in flood warning;
- to decide where we should create new inter-tidal wildlife habitats to compensate for losses of habitat caused by rising sea levels.
In meeting these objectives we will take into consideration the impact on people and the environment around Poole Harbour and the coast, including the cost of implementing any measures.
Programme
Some important dates are listed below:
Autumn 2010: We collected data and identified current and future flood and erosion risks. We also identified the possible extent of any environmental impacts.
Spring to Autumn 2011: We identified a range of high level flood and erosion risk management options. We will review these in the light of new data and advice: see November 2011 briefing note below.
Winter 2012/2013: We will consult the public on the draft options and the environmental impacts report.
Summer 2013: The final strategy will be produced for approval.
How you can get involved
Local knowledge and experience is important to help shape the future management of flood risk and coastal erosion.
You can contact us at any time with your views and comments via the email and postal addresses listed below.
We have specific opportunities for you to help us develop the strategy. Our key public consultation activities have been/will be:
Autumn 2010: Report on the existing environmental conditions, and potential impacts arising from any works, will be published on our website for comment (see 'Strategic environmental assessment' below)
Early 2011: Public exhibition introducing the strategy and explaining our understanding of current and future flood and erosion risks (see introduction above);
Winter 2012/2013: Public exhibition and on-line consultation on the draft strategy and environmental impacts report.
Strategic environmental assessment
To ensure environmental issues are fully considered in the development of the strategy, we are doing a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). Flood risk management strategies may have significant environmental effects. The SEA will ensure environmental as well as technical and economic issues are considered during the decision making process.
The first stage of SEA is scoping. This identifies environmental issues, constraints and opportunities within the study area, and the proposed methodology for the SEA.
We produced a Scoping Consultation Document and sought feedback on it - the consultation is now closed. The Scoping Document sets out our understanding of the existing environment and issues that we will examine in more detail during the SEA and strategy development.
A copy of the SEA Scoping Consultation Document can be found here:
Further Information
Contact us
Please contact the project team:
or the
Steve Rendell
Project Manager
Environment Agency
Manley House
Kestrel Way
Exeter
EX2 7LQ
Tel: 01392 442021
