Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

April 2013

1 Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Wrexham County Borough Council

Document Control Sheet

Document Author: Charlotte Beattie Line Manager: Phil Harrison

Revision History

Date Version No Summary of Changes 22.10.12 2.2 General amendments and grammar 1.11.12 2.3 Final version 7.1.13 3.0 Final version following Consultation 18.4.13 3.1 Welsh Government Minor Amendments

Approvals

Approved by Signature Date Version Charlotte Beattie 16.1.13 3.0

Charlotte Beattie 18.4.13 3.1

Distribution: Publication

Name Title Date Version Cadw; John Berry 18.4.13 3.1 Countryside Council for Theresa Kudelska 18.4.13 3.1 Wales Environment Agency Keith Ivens 18.4.13 3.1 Wales Linda Thomas Clwyd Powys Mark Walters 18.4.13 3.1 Archaeological Trust English Heritage; Judith Nelson 18.4.13 3.1 Natural England; General Consultations 18.4.13 3.1 Welsh Water Dwr Cymru Dominic Scott and Gemma 18.4.13 3.1 Roberts Dee Valley Water Morgan Thomas 18.4.13 3.1 Wales and West Stephen Magee 18.4.13 3.1 Scottish Power Linda Lewis 18.4.13 3.1 Severn Trent Tim Smith 18.4.13 3.1 Strategic Flood Group for 18.4.13 3.1 Wrexham CBC Trunk Road Agency David Cooil 18.4.13 3.1 The five adjoining local Sandra Carlisle Graham Astley 18.4.13 3.1 authorities of Cheshire Wayne Hope, Neil Parry, West and Chester; [email protected] Powys, Shropshire, Denbighshire and Flintshire; Canal and River Trust Alison Truman and Lucas Brown 18.4.13 3.1 (Formerly British Waterways); April 2013 Version 3.1 2

Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Wrexham County Borough Council

Forestry Commission; [email protected] 18.4.13 3.1

Lead Local Member; Cllr Mark Pritchard 18.4.13 3.1 North East Wales Flood Cllr Michael Edwards 18.4.13 3.1 Risk Management Wales (FRMW) Member; Wrexham Local Planning Lawrence Isted- 18.4.13 3.1 Authority Head of Community Wellbeing and Development United Utilities Not sent-No contact details 18.4.13 3.1 Network Rail (NR) Claire Wise 18.4.13 3.1 BRB Kevin Giles 18.4.13 3.1 British Telecom Not sent-No contact Details 18.4.13 3.1 Welsh Government Paul Critchley 18.4.13 3.1 General Public 18.4.13 3.1 WLGA Neville Rookes 18.4.13 3.1 18.4.13 3.1 Welsh Government Final submission of documents to 18.4.13 3.1 Jo Larner and Paul Critchley

Wrexham Copyright. All Rights Reserved.

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

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Contents

Page

Executive Summary 5

Introduction 6

Risk Management Authorities and Function 10

Local Flood Risk Management Principles and Objectives 14

Proposed Measures 17

Assessment of Local Flood Risk 20

Implementation (Costs and Benefits) 27

Funding 41

Environmental Objectives (Other Plans and Programmes) 43

Review and Monitoring 45

Annexe A: Sources of Flood Risk

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

Annexe C LLFA Policy on Culverting

Annexe A: Sources of Flood Risk

Annexe D: Source Control Sustainable Drainage Systems

Annexe E: Environment Agency: Prepare your Property

Annexe F: Other sources of Information

Annexe G: Glossary of Terms

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Executive Summary

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

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

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

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

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Introduction

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

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

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

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

1 Flood and Water Management Act 2010: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/29/contents 2 Flood Risk Regulations 2009, available from; http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/3042/contents/made April 2013 Version 3.1 6

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Figure 1.0 Wrexham County Borough Council Lead Local Flood Authority Responsibilities The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 places a number of statutory duties on Local Authorities in their new role as LLFA including: ° the preparation of local flood risk management strategies; ° a duty to comply with the National Strategy; ° to co-operate with other authorities, including sharing data; ° a duty to investigate all flooding within its area, insofar as a LLFA consider it necessary or appropriate ° a duty to maintain a register of structures and features likely to affect flood risk; and ° a duty to contribute to sustainable development. ° role of approving, adoption and maintenance of sustainable drainage systems; ° Ordinary Watercourse Consents;

In addition to these each LLFA has a number of what are called permissive powers. These are powers that allow them to do something, but do not compel them to and include: ° powers to request information; ° powers to designate certain structures or features that affect flood or coastal erosion risk; ° the expansion of powers to undertake works to include broader risk management actions; and ° the ability to cause flooding or coastal erosion under certain conditions;

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

The strategy importantly draws together the work programme of the Flood Group of the North Wales Resilience Forum. It directly relates to the Council’s Plan 2012­ 2016 and three key strategic priorities of Economy; Place and People, Wrexham’s Community Strategy 2009-2020 and numerous plans and strategies from the Authority’s different departments and flood risk management authorities within the Strategic Flood Group for Wrexham County Borough Council Lead Local Flood Authority (Annexe A)

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

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

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

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

The Flood and Water Management Act requires that the LFRMS sets out the following ° The risk management authorities in Wrexham County Borough Council; ° The flood and coastal risk management functions that may be exercised by those authorities in relation to Wrexham County Borough Council; ° The objectives for managing local flood risk; ° The measures proposed to achieve those objectives; ° How and when the measures are expected to be implemented; ° The costs and benefits of those measures, and how they are to be paid for; ° The assessment of local flood risk for the purpose of the strategy; ° How and when the strategy is to be reviewed; ° How the strategy contributes to the achievement of wider environmental objectives.

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

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

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

Set objectives: what are we aiming to achieve (goals & outcomes)

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

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

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

Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Wrexham County Borough Council management authorities in England) and the public and be completed by 31st March 2013. And whilst it is acknowledged that Wrexham does not have a coast, references need to refer to flood and coastal risk management because of the need to comply with the National Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategy.

Strategic Environmental Assessments

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

Habitats Regulations Assessments

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

Equalities Impact Assessment

Equalities Impact Assessment EIA/0620 has been completed.

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Risk Management Authorities and Functions

Section 6 (15) of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 defines Welsh Risk Management Authority as follows; ° the Environment Agency (Natural Resources Wales); ° lead local flood authority; ° district council for an area which has no unitary authority (England only); ° highway authority; ° an internal drainage board for an internal drainage district; ° a water company that exercises functions in relation to an area in Wales;

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

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

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

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Figure 1.3 Risk Management Authorities

Risk Management Authority Contact Details Lead Local Flood Authority Wrexham County Borough Council (Include Highways Authority The Guildhall Wrexham LL11 1AY Phone number: 01978 292000 for local roads) Minicom: 01978 292067 Email address: [email protected] Website: www.wrexham.gov.uk

Environment Agency Wales Northern Area Office (Natural Resources Wales- Ffordd Penlan Parc Menai April 2013 (Countryside Bangor Council for Wales, Forestry Gwynedd Commission and Environment LL57 4DE Agency Wales). Telephone 08708 506506 Email: [email protected] website: www.envionmrnt-agency.gov.uk Flood line Phone number 0845 988 1188 (24 hour service) Type Talk 0845 602 6340 Dee Valley Dee Valley Packsaddle Wrexham Road, Rhostyllen Wrexham LL14 4EH Customer Services number: 01978 833200 Fax: 01978 846888 Leakline: 0800 298 7112 Emergency: 01978 846946 Email: [email protected] Website: Dee Valley Group Severn Trent Severn Trent Water Ltd Customer Relations Sherbourne House St Martin's Road, Finham Coventry CV3 6SD Tel: 024 7771 5000 Website: www.stwater.co.uk Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water Dŵr Cymru - Welsh Water Pentwyn Road Nelson Treharris CF46 6LY Head office phone number: 01443 452300 Customer services: 0800 052 0140 Website: www.dwrcymru.co.uk

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

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

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Water and Sewerage Companies are responsible not only for the provision of water but also making appropriate arrangements for the drainage of foul water, the treatment of waste, surface water sewers and combined sewers. They have primary responsibility for water and sewerage systems, which can include sewer flooding, burst pipes or water mains or floods causes by system failures. No changes have been made to the operational arrangements for water and sewerage companies in respect of flood risk. The floods and water management act places a number of statutory duties on water and sewerage companies including; ° a duty to act consistently with the National Strategy; ° a duty to have regard to local flood risk management strategies and other guidance; ° a duty to co-operate with other Risk Management Authorities including the sharing of data;

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

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

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

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

These steps include: ° checking whether their household is at risk of flooding from the river, coast or local flood sources April 2013 Version 3.1 12

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° ensure that preparations have been made in case a flood occurs ° taking measures to ensure that their house is protected from flooding, either through permanent or temporary measures ° taking measures to make sure the house is resilient to flooding so that if flooding does occur it does not cause too much damage ° where possible, take out flood insurance.

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

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

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

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

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

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Local Flood Risk Management Principles and Objectives

Principles The local flood risk management strategy is based on the central organising principle of sustainable development. The definition of Sustainable development is provided in Figure 1.4 below, is drawn from Welsh Governments’ One Wales: One Planet 2009 Outcomes and Indicators and Environment Strategy 4

Figure 1.4: The definition of sustainable development

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

• promote social justice and equality of opportunity, and;

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

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

° Long-terminism : ensuring that all decisions promote the long term, sustainable wellbeing of people and communities, and do not promote short term fixes that will continue to lock us into unsustainable patterns and lifestyles; ° Integration: ensuring that all decisions take full account of, and where possible fully integrate, the various social, economic and environmental outcomes that are being sought; and ° Involvement: engaging with, and involving, the people and communities that will be affected by these decisions, so that working in partnership for sustainable development becomes part and parcel of the way we work.

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

Place: ° Low ecological footprint: All flood and coastal erosion risk management should not overuse, but seek to work in harmony with natural resources and processes, promote resource

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

° Wellbeing is considered by the Welsh Government as being a positive physical, social and mental state. It requires that basic needs are met, individuals have a sense of purpose and they feel able to reach personal goals and take part in society. Wellbeing is enhanced by: ° supportive personal relationships; ° strong and inclusive communities; ° good health; ° financial and personal security; ° rewarding employment; ° a healthy and attractive environment.

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

Objectives

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

NFCRMS 1: Reducing the consequences for individuals, communities, businesses and the environment from flooding and coastal erosion; NFCRMS 2: Raising awareness of and engaging people in the response to flood and coastal erosion risk; NCFRMS 3: Providing an effective and sustained response to flood and coastal erosion events; and NFCRMS 4: Prioritising investment in the most at risk communities.

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

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

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

Proposed Measures

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

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

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

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

Figure 1.5 Flood Risk Management

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

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

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Figure 1.6 Proposed Objectives and Measures of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS); National Council Plan Wrexham Strategic LFRMS Measures (Short, Indicators Risk Management Flood and Outcomes Environmental (L1-11) Medium, Long Authority/ Coastal Risk Assessment Term) Relevant Management Objectives Short -5 years Stakeholder Objectives Medium 5-10 (Wales) years Long Term > 10 years NFCRMS 1: People: PE3, PE4, SEAO1. To protect L1. Improve the level of understanding of Medium Levels of flood risk deprivation within Welsh Index of LLFA, Highways Reducing the PE5; Place PL1, human health and local flood risk and promote a strategic Long Multiple Deprivation. Authority, Planning consequences PL2, PL3, PL4 wellbeing; approach to flood risk management within Level of baseline information on flood risk. Authority, for individuals, the Lead Local Flood Authority, Flood Risk Strategic performance monitoring outputs of Environment Agency, communities, Partners and Stakeholders; the LFRMS Measures within the Council Plan Water Companies businesses and the People: PE3, PE4, SEAO2. To minimise the L2. Promote a successful development plan Medium/ Numbers of properties, key infrastructure and LLFA, Highways environment PE5; Place PL1, risk of flooding and and management approach to local flood risk Long community buildings at risk from flooding, from Authority, Planning from flooding PL2, PL3, PL4 ensure new development issues to address issues of urban creep, different sources; Authority, and coastal is located outside TAN resilience, water sensitive design and Reduction in flood risk to existing properties and Environment Agency erosion; 15 zones C1 and C2 and sustainable drainage systems business. Water Companies that all developments Flood risk issues informing local development plan apply the principles of allocations and development plan briefs. sustainable drainage and Number of developments incorporating sustainable water sensitive design; drainage schemes, to an adoptable and maintained standard.

L3. Establish an effective asset management Long Annual review of existing structures. Number of LLFA, Highways register which includes designated structures development schemes per year which incorporate Authority, and risk based approach to maintenance sustainable drainage systems, to an adoptable and Environment schedules. maintained standard. Total number of flood risk Agency, Water assets on the register each year. Annual review of Companies maintenance regimes. The number of maintenance

Organisation regimes reviewed each year. The number of assets identified through investigation reports. People: PE3, SEAO3. To ensure the L4. Effective collection and collating of flood Long Number of investigation reports published each year. LLFA, Highways Place PL1, PL2, potential impact of event information through the use of Authority, Planning PL3, PL4 and flooding on existing and geographical information systems, and Authority, Economy E2, E1 future critical databases to identify, and prioritise sources Environment and E3 infrastructure is and consequences of flood risk within Agency Water minimised; communities Companies, Civic Canal and River Trust, Rail track and North Wales trunk Road Agency; NFCRMS2: Place PL2, PL4 SEAO4. To protect L5. Promote and develop scope for natural Long The number of rural sustainable drainage systems LLFA, Highways Raising enhance biodiversity and approaches to both flood risk management used or developed per year. Authority, Planning awareness of nature conservation in and land use management, so that source Area of land used to temporarily store water away Authority, and engaging Wrexham County control measures, flood attenuation and from high risk areas each year. Environment Agency people in the Borough Number of schemes implemented to reconnect rivers Water Companies,

storage (sustainable drainage systems) are response to to floodplains. Civic Canal and River Place PL2, PL3 SEAO5. To protect the utilised to reduce surface water run off. flood and best quality soil and Number of restored or area of restored peat bogs. Trust, Rail track and coastal erosion enhance the quality and Floodplain areas of the borough reforested. Number North Wales trunk risk; character of the of green roofs. Amount of permeable paving areas Road Agency, Rural Council, Wrexham Borough County Council Plan 2012-16 PlaceEconomy People Strategic andobjective and : landscape; 6. To for residential, business and industry across the Development maintain and enhance borough. Agencies, Clwyd water resources and Number of surface water attenuation ponds. Number Powys of ra i nwa t er h arve sti ng b u tt s across th e B oroug h . Ar ch aeo l og i ca l T ru st 18 Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Wrexham County Borough Council

water quality; Number of ordinary watercourse consents granted per year. People PE3, PE4; SEAO6. To maintain % of development on previously developed land. Place PL2, PL4 and/or enhance the L6. Adopt a non culverting policy approach to Byr Number of wards within 20% most deprived wards character of townscapes, ordinary watercourses with access to services/employment. cultural heritage and L7. To investigate flood events Medium Ha of open space deficit within the Borough. assets within Wrexham % of accessible green space as defined by CCW County Borough; and Green Network Strategy and % of naturalness People PE4, PE3; SEAO7. To maintain and within the County Borough improved through flood Place PL1, PL2, enhance water resources management approaches or projects. PL3, PL4 and and water quality Number of investigation reports published each year, Economy E1, E2 where practicable. and E3 The number of assets identified through investigation People PE4, PE3; SEAO8. Protect and reports. Place PL1, PL2, Enhance Wrexham’s PL3, PL4 and County Borough’s Economy E1, E2 Landscape and Visual and E3 Amenity; NCFRMS 3: People PE3, PE4, SEAO9. To adapt L8. Promote greater level of community Medium Number of key infrastructure providers registered to LLFA, Planning Providing an PE5; Place PL1, development to resilience, awareness and preparedness the Targeted Flood Warning System. Authority, effective and PL2, PL3, PL4; withstand the impacts if which encourages proactive and responsible The number of communities groups registered for Environment sustained Economy E1, E2 climate change; maintenance of privately owned assets and Met Office and EA Warning systems; Agency and Water response to and E3. flood defences Number of investigation reports published each year. Companies flood and % of commercial or new buildings or refurbishments North Wales coastal meeting BREEAM “very good” standard. % of homes erosion events; new build and refurbishment achieving CSH very Resilience Forum and good standard. Number of properties that have installed property protection measures per year. NFCRMS4: Number of Community Plans held each year. Prioritising The provision of quarterly area Flood Partnership investment in Meetings each year. the most at risk L9.Improve the response and recovery to Long Number of engagement activities with groups held LLFA, North Wales communities flooding events by emergency response each year. Resilience Forum organisations, individuals and businesses Council and agencies committed to training of EMRT and Environment Teams. Agency, Water Number of queries received from people on Companies insurance issues relating to flood risk. Preparation and testing multi agency flood plans Review and development of Community Flood Plans. L10 Maximise opportunities for partnership Long Annual update of information onto the Community LLFA, North Wales working within the LLFA, flood risk partners Risk Register. Resilience Forum and stakeholders Number of engagement activities with groups held and Environment each year. Agency, Water L11 Identify projects and programmes which Long Continuation and development of Flood-Coordination Companies are affordable maximising capital funding Group for North Wales. Identification of future from external sources. partnerships and collaboration for Suds Approval Body (SAB) Annual monitoring of asset register. Improvements to baseline information collection and recording.

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Assessment of Local Flood Risk

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

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

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

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

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

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

20 Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Wrexham County Borough Council

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Limitations

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

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

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Figure 1.9 Flood Risk Areas within Wrexham County Borough PFRA Grid Area Reference Community EA Flood Zone Map 2009 Flood Number of WW (2011) Groundw River Dee River Dee B FRA 2011 Blue Council Total number of EA Historic Flood Outline 2009 Partners Historical DG5 ater Canals or Catchment River Dee Basin Squares Area address points EA 30 FMSFW and ASTSWF > hip Incidents Sewerage Flooding Ponds policy Area Sub Area Management Critical Infrastructure (Roads, sub station, railway, hospitals or GP Yes Addres No of Business surgeries, Type Yes or No (1 (Year Yes, Yes or s people Premises schools/Nurseries, in 30, 50, 75, 100 or 200) and Number No Centre Point) points (2.23) /Units POS areas) Type) Number and Type) <25 (Details) (1-6) (1-10) UD, MD, TD E332470, 1 Llay Industrial FMSFW 1 in 30 , N356490 Estate Llay 143 319 134 B5373 ASTSWF > No 43 0 <25 PONDS ¾ 2/4 MD E338470, 7 16 PONDS N350470 Holt 40 No 5 0 >75 3 5 MD 49 109 PONDS Abenbury 131 No 12 0 >50 3 5 MD 2 Wrexham Industrial 0 0 FLOOD Z2/3, ASTSFW>, PONDS Estate East Isycoed 122 WXM LINK ROAD FMSFW 1in 30 No 3 0 >75 4 4 MD E336500 3 7 PONDS Holt - No 0 0 >25<50 4 4 MD N350400 6 13 PONDS Abenbury - No 0 9 >50<75 4 4 MD 3 Wrexham Industrial 102 227 FLOOD Z2/3, ASTSFW PONDS Estate West Isycoed - WXM LINK ROAD >, FMSFW 1 in 30 No 0 16 >75 4 4 MD E334440 4 Wrexham Town 40 89 A494, A483, ASTSFW >, FMSFW PONDS N352590 Centre Gwersyllt 147 Playing Fields 1in 30 No 27 0 >25<50 4 4 MD E333460 5 Wrexham Town 1 2 A5156, Borras ASTSFW >, FMSFW PONDS N352480 Centre Gresford 53 Quarry 1 in 30 No 22 0 >75 4 4 MD E334480 6 Wrexham Town 3401 7584 A483, University, ASTSFW >, FMSFW PONDS N351490 Centre Retail, Civic 4 1 in 30 7 Wrexham Town Rhosddu 379 schools No 17 0 >75 4 4 MD E338550 Centre 4399 9810 ASTSFW >, FMSFW PONDS N351440 8 Wrexham Town Acton 83 Acton Park 1 in 30 No 47 22 >75 4 4 MD E332500 Centre 0 0 ASTSFW >, FMSFW PONDS N351600 9 Wrexham Town 1 in 30 Centre A5156, Chester 10 Wrexham Town Holt - Road, Holt Road, No 0 0 >25<50 4 4 MD E334430 Centre 4 9 PONDS N350460 11 Wrexham Town ASTSFW >, FMSFW Centre Broughton 62 A483 1 in 30 No 31 1 >25<50 4 4 MD E333460 12 Wrexham Town 3651 8142 A483, A541, PONDS N350460 Centre Hospital, 13 Wrexham Town Technology Park, Centre Railway, 7 schools and 1 medical FLOOD Z2/3, ASTSFW Offa 327 centre >, FMSFW 1 in 30 No 11 5 >25<50 4 4 MD E332500 3939 8784 4 schools, PONDS N350450 Queensway Sports, Whitegate Ind Estate, Dunks, CefnDre Border Retail Park, Tescos, Eagles FLOOD Z2/3, ASTSFW Meadow >, FMSFW 1 in 30 Caia Park 212 2012 43 0 >25<50 4 4 MD E333470 0 0 PONDS N349470 Marchwiel 12 A525 No 1 1 >25<50 4 4 MD April 2013 Version 3.1 25 FLOOD Z2/3, ASTSFW

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>, FMSFW 1 in 30

E332910 48 107 FLOOD Z2/3, ASTSFW PONDS N349590 >, FMSFW 1 in 30 Abenbury 6 Abenbury Road No 6 <25 4 4 MD E333400 730 1628 Dismantled ASTSFW >, FMSFW PONDS N351400 Railway, Roads, 1 in 30 Solvay Banks, 1 Broughton 41 School No 0 0 <25 ¾ 2/4 UD 2 4 ASTSFW >, FMSFW PONDS Coedpoeth 40 None 1 in 30 No 0 0 >50>75 ¾ 2/4/ UD 14 New Broughton 1 2 ASTSFW >, FMSFW PONDS and Southsea Brymbo 121 None 1 in 30 No 1 0 >50<75 ¾ 2/4 UD E329400 1977 4409 Ponciau Banks PONDS N346500 2Schools Cemetery, B5426, ASTSFW >, FMSFW Rhos 73 B5097 1 in 30 No 0 1 >25<50 3 2 UD 0 0 Dismantled PONDS Railway, Solvay Eclusham - Banks, 1School ASTSFW >, No 0 0 >25<50 3 2 UD 15 1 2 ASTSFW >, PONDS Rhosllanerchrugog Rhos - Aberderfyn Road No 0 0 >25<50 3 2 UD E330400 1 2 PONDS N344600 ASTSFW >, FMSFW Rhos 51 B5605 1 in 30 No 0 0 >25<50 3/4/2 2/4/3 MD 952 2123 PONDS ASTSFW >, FMSFW 16 Ruabon Ruabon 107 B5605 1 in 30 No 0 0 >25<50 3/4/2 2/4/3 MD E328500 492 1097 FLOOD Z2/3, ASTSFW PONDS N342600 >, FMSFW 1 in 30

Cefn - B6505 (B5096) No 0 0 >25<50 3 ½ UD 459 1024 FLOOD Z2/3, ASTSFW PONDS 17 Cefn Mawr/Plas >, FMSFW 1 in 30 Madoc Ruabon 93 B5605 No 0 0 >25<50 3 1 UD E328400 459 1024 1 School, B5906, FLOOD Z2/3, ASTSFW PONDS N341700 18 Cefn Ty Mawr CP, >, FMSFW 1 in 30 Mawr/Newbridge Chirk North - Railway Viaduct No 0 0 3 1 UD E328400 41 91 Shropshire Union PONDS N338200 Canal, Railway CANAL Sports Ground, FLOOD Z2/3, ASTSFW 19. Chirk Sewerage >, FMSFW 1 in 30 Chirk Treatment Plant, South 15 Industrial Estate No 0 0 >75 3 1 UD E320400 246 549 FLOOD Z2/3, ASTSFW PONDS N337200 Llansantffr >, FMSFW 1 in 30 aid Glyn B5479 Disused Ceiriog 7 Mine, School No 0 0 <25 3 1 UD 4 9 ASTSFW >, FMSFW UD 20 Glyn Ceiriog Glyntraian 8 None 1 in 30 No 0 <25 PONDS 3 1

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Implementation

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

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

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

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

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

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

The National Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategy’s (2011) (NFCRMS) sets out four overarching objectives for the flood risk management in Wales; 27 Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Wrexham County Borough Council

NFCRMS 1: Reducing the consequences for individuals, communities, businesses and the environment from flooding and coastal erosion; NFCRMS 2: Raising awareness of and engaging people in the response to flood and coastal erosion risk; NCFRMS 3: Providing an effective and sustained response to flood and coastal erosion events; NFCRMS 4: Prioritising investment in the most at risk communities.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Figure 1.10 National sub objectives 1-6 National Sub Measures Objective 1. Provide a. The provision of overarching national policies for the Strategic management of flood and coastal erosion risk through a National Leadership and Strategy and associated guidance. Direction at a b. The provision of national guidance relating to sustainable National level; development, when exercising flood and coastal erosion risk management functions. c. The provision of national guidance on the preparation of Local Flood Risk Management Strategies by Lead Local Flood Authorities. d. Development of a toolkit to assist in raising community Authorities awareness and preparation for of flood and coastal erosion risk. e. Development of National Standard for Sustainable Drainage Systems and accompanying guidance. f. Undertaking of a review of national policies in relation to coastal risk management including research on the options for communities facing increasing levels of risk. g. Development of a national funding policy and prioritisation methodology for the assessment of applications for funding for all flood and coastal erosion risk management activities funded from the Welsh Government. h. Establishment of a principle for ensuring access to buildings and contents flood insurance to replace the Statement of Principles. i. Drafting and commencement of legislation relating to flood and coastal erosion risk management as required through the life of this Strategy. j. Raising awareness of the implications of flood and erosion risk across all business sectors over the life of this Strategy. k. Delivery of a Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge Transfer Programme 2. Provide a a. Delivery of a coastal erosion map for Wales; Strategic b. Delivery of the second round of Shoreline Management Plans Leadership and by 2012 with proportionate implementation over the life of the Direction at a Strategy local level; c. Development of the National Habitats Creation Programme as part of delivery of the Natural Environment Framework.

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d. Development of Local Flood Risk Management Strategies. e. Implementation of statutory responsibilities including those set out within the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and the Flood Risk Regulations. f. Appropriate mapping of all sources of flood risk. g. Proportionate implementation of the Catchment Flood Management Plans over the life of the Strategy. 3. Develop a. Development of Local Development Plans that include Policies for adequate provisions in respect of flood and coastal erosion risk. effective land b. Compliance with the requirements of Planning Policy Wales use and relevant Technical Advice Notes management c. Provision of appropriate advice on flood and coastal erosion and enhances risk in relation to planning applications. development control d. Appropriate undertaking of Strategic Flood Consequence procedures Assessments and their use to inform Local Development Plans. where e. Approval and adoption of SuDS drainage systems by the SuDS appropriate; Approving and Adopting Body. Provision of advice and guidance on appropriate land use management. 4. Establish a. Development of a register of natural and manmade structures regular or features likely to have an effect on flood risk by 2014. maintenance schedules fir b. Establishment of a programme of regular and appropriate flood and maintenance for flood and coastal erosion risk management coastal risk assets. management c. Designation of natural and manmade structures or features assets likely to have an effect on flood or coastal erosion risk over the life of the Strategy. 5. Ensure that a. Continuation and development of Flood Awareness Wales. by 2026 b. Programme of community based awareness and engagement everyone who activities, utilising the Flood Risk Management Community lives in a flood Engagement Toolkit. risk area c. Identification of at risk groups within communities, including understands the vulnerable individuals. flood risk they are subject to, d. Development of a national Single Point of Contact for queries the relating to flood risk. consequences e. Continuation and expansion of the Flood line Warning Direct of this risk and Service over the life of the Strategy. how to live with that risk 6. Enhance a. Ensure property level flood resilience measures and the property and requirements for SuDS are incorporated into Building community level Regulations. resilience b. Enhanced awareness of property level resilience measures and guidance on their use. c. Development of a sustainable methodology for funding individual property level resilience measures. d. Provision of appropriate warnings in relation to all sources of flooding

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

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

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

Welsh Government is currently reviewing the Buildings Regulations approval process. Code for Sustainable Homes scoring and appraisal system for SUR1 and SUR 2 was amended following the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, but these are non mandatory credits, and not currently required by current system. The new system should incorporate the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM standards and ensure SUR1 and SUR2 are re classified as mandatory. Section 42 of the Floods and Water Management Act Section 42 of the 2010 Act inserts section 106B into the Water Industry Act 1991 (“the 1991 Act”). Section 106B provides that a person may only exercise the right, under section 106(1) of the 1991 Act, to have his drains or sewers communicate with public sewers only if the conditions set out in section 106B(2) and (3) of that Act have been satisfied. These conditions include a requirement for the person to, prior to the construction of a sewer or lateral drain, enter into an agreement with the relevant sewerage undertaker under section 104 of the 1991 Act for the adoption of the sewer or lateral drain. Wrexham is a strategic County within Wales and the UK and has a diverse range of material assets, which includes its natural and diverse landscape, agriculture April 2013 Version 3.1 31

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Wrexham County Borough Council causing surface water and river flooding to the Alyn and surrounding farmland around Holt, Farndon and Rossett.

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

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

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

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

° Manage runoff flow rates thus reducing the impact of urbanisation on flooding; ° Protect or enhance water quality; ° Enhance the environmental setting and can contribute towards to the needs of the local community; April 2013 Version 3.1 34

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

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

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

There are existing strategies within the Council that can maximise the use of source control measures which include permeable paving and rainwater harvesting and landscaping schemes. Welsh Water have advised that we will never tackle the onset of surface water flooding issues associated with climate change without tackling the existing properties and places. These can at one level include the monitoring of rainwater harvesting systems or water butts for individual properties both Council and private properties and business. It could incorporate or influence policies within the housing strategy so that the affordable housing projects and empty homes initiatives include source control measures for surface water and water efficiency measures. It could also include schemes to look at the removal point sources of surface water, given that Welsh Water encourages residents to disconnect their surface water drainage from combined sewer system.

Using information from housing departments we can identify vulnerable groups of residents from private housing sector and develop options to address the issues for tenants and owners.

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Local Flood Risk Strategy Measures L1-5

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

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

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

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

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

National Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategy Objective 3 and 4:

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

Prioritising investment in the most at risk communities;

Overarching objectives three and four on the sustained and effective response to flood events and prioritisation of investment of the most at risk communities and includes measures relevant to the local scale. These are relevant to Welsh Government and the LLFA and have influenced the final local measures L6-11.

Figure 1.12 National sub objectives 7-11 National Sub Measures Objective 7. Ensure the Complete emergency plans for all sources of flood risk preparation Development of community level emergency plans, as and testing of required by relevant communities. Emergency A pan-Wales emergency exercise to test response and Plans recovery arrangements by 2016.

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Local level emergency exercises to test response and recovery arrangements over the life of the Strategy. 8. Respond to Early and appropriate response to emergency events for all events in a timely events and appropriate Development and implementation of effective evacuation manner protocols for emergency events Development of mutual aid protocols for resources, equipment and respite for emergency events. Identification and provision of suitable respite accommodation as appropriate over the life of the Strategy. 9. Facilitate Development of procedures for the effective clearance of recovery from debris. flooding within the Development of repair schedules including provision for the shortest possible installation of resilient measures by 2015. timescales Investigations into the causes of flooding to be undertaken where, necessary within one month, where practicable. 10. Develop a Undertake research into the costs and benefits of softer National engineering approaches including the use of natural Programme of processes to flood and coastal erosion risk management. investment Guidance on the comparative use of hard and soft for flood and engineering coastal erosion Approaches’ to flood and coastal erosion risk management to risk management be issued by 2013. Development of a national funding policy and prioritisation methodology for the assessment of applications for funding for all flood and coastal erosion risk management activities funded from the Welsh Government. Development of a national priority schedule for flood and coastal erosion risk management schemes. Development of a business case for the establishment of a single capital funding programme for Wales. 11. Increase the Development of a national policy on the use of contributions use of Alternative towards flood and coastal erosion risk management schemes, sources of including the National Habitat Creation Programme funding for flood and coastal erosion risk management

Flooding can have far reaching socio-economic consequences in County Borough by influencing people’s quality of life, through direct damage to their property and associated stress and through restricting access to key services and employment. Flooding can also be exacerbated by increased development pressure required to address population growth, especially if the development does not consider the impact on flooding or include sustainable drainage systems. Community engagement forms a fundamental element of the local strategy, without it we can not identify the communities at highest risk and will not be able to prioritise investment. This affects our rural and urban communities through the promotion of sustainable land uses through the strategic direction of the local strategy. April 2013 Version 3.1 37

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The identification of communities at risk and vulnerable people can be assessed through the careful use of datasets across the Authority. Using the principles of the Community Flood Plans in Rossett and Bangor on Dee, and utilising the databases held on the private rented sector, council owned assets.

Wrexham County Borough Council in partnership with Environment Agency is committed to ensuring that everyone in the County Borough of Wrexham is informed or aware of the risks of local flooding. This awareness and information sharing is important to enable households and businesses to adopt suitable resistance and resilience measures.

In Wales, six pilot studies have been completed, two of these areas include Prestatyn and Pwllheli and provide important lessons in regards to the importance of awareness rising and adaptation to climate change. Climate change and adaptation forms an important role within all flood risk management measures.

The Multi-agency Flood Plan (MAFP) (2010) provides the framework produced by North Wales Resilience Forum and Multi Agency Response Plan for Major Emergencies (2010) for Emergency responses within the Borough. There are flood warning systems in place for Alyn Catchment, Rossett, Lower Dee Valley Llangollen to Chester, Lower Dee and Bangor on Dee.

The Area Flood Partnership includes representatives from the Council’s Emergency Management Response Teams, Lead Local Flood Authority, Flood Risk Management Authorities and communities of Bangor on Dee, Rossett .This group hold meetings throughout the year and exercises every three years.

The Local Authority has an Emergency Planning Team (EP) and out of hours service with contact numbers, information and advice available on the website. During working hours flood event calls are dealt with by the Contact Centre through the Pride in Your Streets and passed to; Emergency Planning, Environment, Housing, or Public Protection. Most of the calls received are directed to Environment Street Scene section because of their responsibilities in regards to highways and land drainage.

In an Emergency flooding event, an established emergency response will be initiated. Flooding events are monitored carefully and co-ordination of information and updates across the various departments, external organisations and emergency responders are very important

The LFRMS has the potential to adversely affect such features, especially aquatic features as a result of any flood management measures that are implemented. Construction, land use change, changes in flood regime and frequency or changes in water levels that have the potential to adversely affect nature conservation and biodiversity features. Conversely, such changes present opportunities to enhance the condition of existing habitats and create new habitats. Trees form important character and functions within areas for biodiversity and drainage and flood risk alleviation. Trees within urban areas and Green Networks are important to flood risk management approach of quality, quantity and amenity.

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The incorporation of the non-culverting policy from the Environment Agency ensures a consistent approach to the management of the Ordinary Watercourses (non-main rivers) and main rivers. It represents an approach adopted by the North Wales Local Authorities of Gwynedd, Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire and Flintshire. The cost of these applications are only small and do not represent the cost of processing and consultations involved. There are many consents applications that will come from departments within the authority, and whilst certain schemes are exempt under the highways act. It will be necessary for other departments and other water or infrastructure companies to submit a fee of £50 per consents application. This fee level is currently being reviewed by Defra and Welsh Government because of the much higher costs associated with these consents applications.

The flood alleviation projects that are under consideration for to the River Gwenfro and Bangor on Dee which have previously sought hard engineering solutions will need to be reviewed in terms of wider catchment and more sustainable drainage systems approach. Incorporating joined up partnership working with Flood Risk Management Authorities.

Culverting of ordinary watercourses can have adverse impacts on ecology, habitats and flow and velocity of water within them. By carefully managing the applications for consents the Lead Local Flood Authority is contributing to the wider environmental directives associated with flooding and water quality. The consenting and enforcing of ordinary watercourse consents are dealt with by the Flood Risk Management Officer. Wrexham County Borough Council is generally opposed to the culverting of watercourses because of the adverse ecological, flood risk, human safety and aesthetic impacts. Watercourses are important linear features of the landscape and should be maintained as continuous corridors to maximise their benefits to society.

It will consider each application to culvert a watercourse on its own merits and in accordance with our risk-based approach to consenting. We will only approve a culvert if there is no reasonably practicable alternative, or if we think the detrimental effects would be so minor that a more costly alternative would not be justified. In all cases where it is appropriate to do so, applicants must provide adequate mitigation measures, and accept sole ownership and responsibility for future maintenance.

We will normally object to proposals to build over existing culverts because of health and safety considerations, increased maintenance costs, and because this would preclude future options to restore the watercourse. Where appropriate we will encourage the restoration of culverted watercourses to open channels. The consenting of works in main rivers and Internal Drainage Districts remains with the Environment Agency Wales.

Under section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, the Lead Local Flood Authority has a duty to investigate flood events where it must to the extent it considers necessary and appropriate investigate flood events, identifying which and what functions flood risk management authorities have utilised. Publishing and notifying other relevant flood risk management authorities where an investigation is carried out.

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The listed measures from L1-11 are strategic and cut across the County Borough Council departments and Flood Risk Management Authorities. The measures are strategic and applicable across disciplines because the approach of this strategy is based on principles of sustainable development. This framework approach will ensure that constraints and opportunities are identified with flood risk management are tackled and delivered through different mechanisms and funding opportunities are identified outside of the box. And by looking at water assets and flood risk assets and infrastructure that requires investment to the benefit of people, the economy and wider environment on a risk based approach towards implementation. That will ensure an effective development of a more detailed action plan and a Flood Risk Management Plan for the County Borough.

Local Flood Risk Management Measures L6-11

L6. Adopt a non culverting policy approach to ordinary watercourses

L7. To investigate flood events

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

L9 Improve the response and recovery to flooding events by emergency response organisations, individuals and businesses

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

L11. Identify projects and programmes which are affordable maximising capital funding from external sources

Costs and Benefits

The strategy recognises the current implications in regards to funding both future and current and aims to maximise external funding. Using a whole systems approach to flood risk management, it identifies a number measures which can contribute towards its management and alleviation, which accords with the Council Plan.

These benefits are unlikely to be short term, most will be long term and whilst detailed costs can not be calculated at this strategic level of the strategy. The Environmental report provides some detail in regards to the strategic

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The opportunities and benefits associated with local flood risk management strategy will inevitably save costs associated with responsive recovery works, and repairs and maintenance. The monitoring of the strategy will be structured to follow current performance monitoring and used to inform further reviews (within a 6 year cycle). The forthcoming Flood Risk Management Plans due to be published in 2015, will include more detailed assessment of costs and benefits.

Funding

The risk and consequences of flooding and coastal erosion present a significant financial cost, both to individuals affected and to the wider Welsh economy. As the climate changes, that cost is expected to increase.

At present the majority of funding for flood and coastal erosion risk management in Wales comes directly from the Welsh Government. As the level and nature of risk changes in the future, Welsh Risk Management Authorities will need to find other sources of funding to ensure that communities across Wales receive the levels of funding they need to manage the risks they face.

Other sources of funding could be:

° requiring developers to undertake works on site including flood and coastal erosion risk management works under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. ° raising a Community Infrastructure Levy on developers to raise funds for flood and coastal erosion risk management. ° partnership approach involving Flood Risk Management Authorities, the private sector and local communities. ° Wrexham County Borough Council allocating capital funding for flood and coastal erosion risk management.

At present Wrexham County Borough Council receives funding from Welsh Government in different ways: ° An annual unhypothecated settlement through the Revenue Support Grant (RSG), and ° by bidding for Flood Alleviation Grants (FAG), on a scheme by scheme basis, under the Land Drainage Act 1991. Current FAG rate is £85%.

To assist Wrexham County Borough Council, and all other Unitary Authorities in Wales, to comply with the requirements of the Flood Risk Regulations 2009 and the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 Welsh Government provided funding of £22,700 for the PFRA and two amounts of £90,000 for the statutory duties of the Lead Local Flood Authority;

The statutory duties referred to in this strategy will require ongoing funding from the Revenue Support Grant Wrexham County Borough Council from 2013 onwards to ensure that there are sufficient resources to implement the strategy and; April 2013 Version 3.1 41

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° Collect data for the revision of the PFRA in 2016 and every 6 years; ° Maintain and update the asset register; ° Continue and improve the investigation of floods; ° Continue consenting works in ordinary watercourses for a fee of £50; ° SAB duties of pre-application discussions, checking, inspecting, approving, adopting and maintaining SuDS schemes; ° Implementation, monitoring and reviewing and updating the local strategy every 6 years; ° Community awareness activities associated with duties and powers of local strategy;

Community Flood Alleviation Schemes The system for bidding for Flood Alleviation Grants is set out in the Memorandum relating to Flood Alleviation Grants for Local Authorities under the land Drainage Act 1991 published in August 2006.When considering a scheme a Preliminary Study must be undertaken to determine the options or feasibility of the proposals. The cost of the Study may be considered for grant as a separate entity but it must be approved before commencing.

Before proceeding the Study must be submitted to Welsh Government for the proposals to be accepted. If they are accepted then a request for an Agreement in Principle can be made and an application made to undertake a Project Appraisal Report (PAR) which again may be considered for grant. The PAR is the process of identifying and evaluating all feasible options of addressing a flood risk problem. The purpose of the PAR is to provide a clear and comprehensive record of the appraisal process and a well argued justification for the selection of the preferred option.

To qualify for grant it is important that the PAR is undertaken in accordance with Annex IIIA of the Memorandum by a person competent to do so. It should be appropriate to the level and scale of the situation being addressed and should provide the information necessary for the Welsh Government Engineers to make considered technical, economic and environmental judgements about the proposals and the decisions that have been made in choosing the preferred option. When the PAR has been approved a formal grant approval must be applied for to carry out the works before works commence.

Currently the grant rate is 85% and the only current community flood alleviation schemes is at River Gwenfro promoted by Wrexham County Borough Council and has an indicative cost of over £1.6 million pounds with a match funding contribution required from Wrexham of 15%. It is likely that this scheme will need to be reviewed so that the scheme meets the objectives of the national and local flood risk strategy and the action plan taken forward as part of the next stages of the flood risk maps and flood risk management plans.

The funding of flood and coastal risk management projects and strategies is currently under review of the Single Investment Programme. This aims to deliver a consultation document in spring 2013.

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Environmental Objectives

There are three wider objectives associated with flood risk management. These are identified as the Water Framework Directive, the Floods Directive and Habitats Directive.

Water Framework Directive: The Water Framework Directive (WFD) (2000/60/EC) is the most substantial piece of EC water legislation to date and is designed to improve and integrate the way water bodies are managed throughout Europe. It came into force on 22 December 2000 and was transposed into UK law in 2003 via the Water Environment (Water Framework Directives) (England and Wales) Regulations 200361. Member States must aim to reach good chemical and ecological status in inland and coastal waters by 2015. It is designed to:

° Prevent deterioration in the classification status of aquatic ecosystems, protect them and improve the ecological condition of waters; ° Aim to achieve at least good status for all waters. Where this is not possible, good status should be achieved by 2021 or 2027; ° Promote sustainable use of water as a natural resource; ° Conserve habitats and species that depend directly on water; ° Progressively reduce or phase out releases individual pollutants or groups of pollutants that present a significant threat to the aquatic environment; ° Progressively reduce the pollution of groundwater and prevent or limit the entry of pollutants; ° Contribute to mitigating the effects of floods and droughts.

The Water Framework Directive establishes new and better ways of protecting and improving rivers, lakes, groundwater, transitional (where freshwater and sea water mix) and coastal waters. In order to achieve this, in 2009 the Environment Agency, Wales produced 3 River Basin Management Plans in Wales setting out measures to protect and improve the water environment. These are currently being implemented and will be revisited in 2015, 2021 and 2027, to ensure that the water bodies’ status does not deteriorate from standards set in 2009 as part of the initial River Basin Management Plans.

It is important that measures to manage local flood risk do not cause deterioration of water bodies and should consider opportunities to improve water bodies in conjunction with local flood risk management.

River Basin Management Plans Dee River Basin Management Plan Western Wales River Basin Management Plan (2009) This addresses the pressures facing the water environment in the River Basin Management Plan Districts, and the actions that will address them. It has been prepared under the Water Framework Directive, and is the first of a series of six year planning cycles. The plan describes required measures to improve the water environment over the next 20 years and aims to achieve Water Framework Directive targets for 2015. It will include an assessment of river basin characteristics, a review of the impact on human activity, on status of water bodies and an economic analysis of water use.

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The River Basin Management Plans, like the CFMP, are important documents relevant to the development of the LFRMS. The LFRMS should therefore not hinder their aims and objectives but has the potential to contribute to the achievement of them.

Floods Directive: EU Floods Directive (2007/60/EC) on the assessment and management of flood risks. The Directive requires EU Member States to assess if their watercourses and coast lines are at risk from flooding; to map the flood extent and assets and humans at risk in these areas; and to take adequate and coordinated measures to reduce this flood risk. In the UK this is being carried out in coordination with the Water Framework Directive. The aim is to reduce and manage the risks that floods pose to human health, the environment, cultural heritage and economic activity.

The Flood Risk Regulations (2009) requires; ° Development of Preliminary Flood Risk Assessments (PFRA) and Publication by 22nd December 2011 and first review by 2017; ° Hazard mapping by 2013 and reviewed by 2019; ° Flood Risk Management Plans by 22nd December 2015 and reviewed by 22nd June 2021

North East Wales River Dee Catchment Flood Management Plan (CFMP) (2010) The overall objective of the CFMP is to develop sustainable policies to manage flood risk within the catchment both now and in the future. This will take account of the possible effects of climate change, land use and land management and will help achieve sustainable development and other benefits. The aims of the CFMP are: ° To reduce the risk of flooding and harm to people, the natural, historic and built environment caused by floods. ° To maximise opportunities to work with natural processes and to deliver multiple benefits from flood risk management and make an effective contribution to sustainable development. ° To support the implementation of European Union directives, the delivery of Government and other partner organisation policies and targets (e.g. Wales Environment Strategy), and our Environmental Vision. ° To promote sustainable flood risk management. ° To inform and support planning policies, statutory land use plans and implementation of the Water Framework Directive.

The CFMP is a key document to consider whilst developing the LFRMS. The LFRMS should be particularly focused on ensuring compliance with two of the CFMP aims: 1) ‘to reduce the risk of flooding and harm’ and, 2) ‘promoting sustainable flood risk management’.

Habitats Directive: HRA is required under the EU Habitats Directive (EU Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of Natural Habitats and Wild Fauna and Flora) and the transposing UK Regulations; The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations; the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (SI 490, 2010).

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Areas of Conservation (SACs) Special Protection Areas (SPA’s) and RAMSAR sites. Therefore, a strategic HRA will be undertaken in parallel with the SEA. The HRA will be integrated with the SEA process and the conclusions of the HRA will be provided as a summary in the SEA Environmental Report and Non Technical Summary.

Review and Monitoring

Measures and indicators will need to be monitored each year and reported within the performance monitoring of the Service Management Plans and the Council Plan. These measures will need to be delivered, monitored and applied by departments across the Council and the co-ordinated by Flood and Water Management Resilience Officer, Emergency Planning Team, of Community Wellbeing and Development.

There will be substantial changes in the next few years, with changes to the planning system and the requirements for sustainable drainage; in the provision of flood insurance; in the funding and design of flood prevention schemes; with improvements in our knowledge of where the greatest flood risk is associated and approaches to flood risk management.

In order to remain fit for purpose, and also to show success in delivering reduced flood risks to the people of Wrexham County Borough, this strategy will need to develop to incorporate these changes and our responses to them, which will in turn inform the Council Plan.

It is proposed that a review should take place in 2017 following the review of the National Strategy in 2016, and to coincide with the review of the preliminary flood risk assessment required by the Flood Risk Regulations The strategy should then continue to be reviewed every six years in conjunction with the review of the PFRA, unless circumstances dictate a more frequent review

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Annexe A: Sources of Flood Risk

The main sources of flooding in Wales today are:

° sea flooding; ° river flooding, including main rivers and ordinary watercourses; and ° surface water flooding.

Sea Flooding, Coastal Erosion Risk and Coastal Squeeze risks are not applicable to Wrexham County Borough.

River Flooding

River flooding is generally described as flooding from the larger main rivers such as the Severn, the Taff and the Dee, as well as smaller rivers or streams often referred to as ordinary watercourses. River flooding from either source is probably the most commonly recognised and understood source of flood risk.

River flooding usually occurs when the capacity of a river channel cannot contain the volume of water entering it, and water overflows its banks. This is a natural event. When a river does overflow, the resultant flood water can be both deep and fast flowing and can cause widespread inundation of the flood plain. It may also carry debris, which can increase the damage.

The impact can be even worse if a flood defence, built to contain high river flows, fails suddenly, often called a breach, causing a risk to life or injury with little warning.

Surface Water Flooding

Surface water flooding is common in built up areas where development, including roads, buildings and multiple other hard surfaces, may result in a lack of open spaces and permeable surfaces able to absorb rainfall. It can also be a problem in rural areas where during heavy rainfall water tends to run off steeply sloping fields affecting rural communities and can lead to significant loss of soil.

Where rainfall cannot be absorbed by the soil, rain is directed into the drainage systems instead. Typically piped drainage systems are designed to deal with frequent, relatively short duration rainfall events. They are not designed to deal with longer storms or more intense rainfall, and surface water flooding occurs when those systems are unable to cope with the volume of water entering them and are more likely to become blocked with debris and silt.

Other Sources of Flooding

While the three sources of flooding listed above are the most commonly experienced there are however other sources of flood risk including: ° the failure of dams; ° the failure of defence structures; ° canal breaches; April 2013 Version 3.1 46

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° groundwater and other water sources; and ° sewer flooding.

The likelihood of failure of a dam is very low. Strict monitoring, maintenance and safety regimes are in place and recent legislative changes (under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010) to further strengthen arrangements are being implemented. However, if a dam failure occurred there would be a risk of significant amounts of water being released from any associated reservoir.

While not a traditional source of flooding in the same way as a river or a dam, the failure of a defence structure could significantly increase the impacts or consequences of a flood or coastal erosion event. An area previously considered to be protected could be placed at a level of risk residents are unprepared for.

There are also some risks of flooding from lakes and other water bodies. Groundwater levels can also impact on other sources of flooding, reducing capacity to absorb surface water for example. Groundwater flooding is not a widespread issue in Wales, but can occur in some areas, with consequences for land use and access. For example, Cardiff Bay has a pumping station to stop basements flooding from ground water levels.

From time to time other local flood risks involving water held within the ground occur. An example is the event at Parys Mountain, where water was held within the mountain in mine workings; flooding occurred when the water levels within the workings increased following the closure of local mines. There is separate legislation governing the management of water levels in mines.

Flooding from Sewers

The risk of sewer flooding is not directly addressed within this strategy as it is the responsibility of the water and sewerage companies. However, the Welsh Government recognises the impacts and consequences sewer flooding can have.

Sewers come in three types:

° foul sewers, which are designed to carry soiled water that has been used for washing and cooking purposes, as well as the contents of toilets and trade effluent; ° surface water sewers, which are designed to carry rainwater runoff from roofs, yards and roads; and ° combined sewers, which receive a mixture of foul sewage and surface water.

Flooding from foul sewers is generally caused by blockages or the failure of pumped systems and usually affects only limited numbers of properties.

Flooding from surface water and combined sewers occurs when any of these types of sewer becomes overloaded due to heavy rainfall (or sometimes snow melt), when sewers become blocked, or more rarely, when mechanical or electrical equipment breaks down. The likelihood and severity of sewer flooding caused by overloading depends on the capacity of the sewerage system of sewers in

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Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Wrexham County Borough Council question, which can be affected by a range of factors, including pipe size and weather conditions.

All sewer systems have a finite capacity and one way of reducing the risks of sewer flooding is reducing the amount of surface water running into the sewer network, and placing additional strain on systems. While the depth of flooding caused by sewers is generally much less than that for the main sources, flood water containing foul sewage means that it does cause significant distress to those affected.

Management of sewer flooding is primarily the responsibility of the water and sewerage companies, and they are taking steps to address the causes and concerns. One such approach is the Surface Water Elimination and Reduction programme led by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. However, to effectively manage the risks of sewer flooding, water and sewerage companies will require assistance and cooperation from other Risk Management Authorities.

In 2011 the Welsh Ministers legislated to transfer responsibility for all private sewers and lateral drains to water and sewerage companies. The transfer removes the risk of significant costs for maintaining and repairing private sewers falling on individuals and is intended to provide wider benefits through the integrated management of the sewerage system.

The Welsh Government will also be consulting on proposals to introduce mandatory sewer design and build standards and on proposals to increase the use of sustainable drainage systems (Suds) throughout Wales.

The SuDS approach to surface water uses a wider range of drainage techniques, such as infiltration and retention with the aim of mimicking the pattern of runoff from the site in its natural state. Rainwater is managed close to its source and on the surface where possible. As a result, surface water is stored and released slowly and water quality is protected and improved. Overall there is less runoff, freeing up capacity in the sewer system and improving biodiversity and amenity.

Combined Risk

Detailing individual sources of risk does not imply that flooding can only ever occur for one reason, or that coastal erosion only ever has one outcome. Any and all of these sources and facets can come together to produce what are called combination events.

An example of a combination flood is one occurring during a period of intense or prolonged rainfall. The rain would increase water levels in watercourses, saturate ground, increase flow through the drainage system and could enter the public sewerage system, increasing pressure. As all of these factors combine, watercourses, drains and sewers could all reach maximum capacity and with nowhere else to go the water could overflow from all of them, resulting in a combination of river, sewer and surface water flooding.

On the coast, a combination event could involve flooding from the sea where a storm delivers intense rainfall on the land and a storm surge and stormy seas, at the same time as a high tide. This results in an increase in tide and wave levels at April 2013 Version 3.1 48

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Depending on the intensity of the rainfall and the waves, such an event could also cause an increase in coastal erosion, resulting in long term damage to the coast, which could exacerbate future flood risks.

Coastal Erosion Risk and Coastal Squeeze risks are not applicable to Wrexham County Borough.

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

Wrexham County Borough Council Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA)

Strategic Director Head of Community Wellbeing and Local Member (N E Wales) Development Environment and Regeneration Committee Flood Risk Management Wales (FRMW)

Emergency Planning Manager

Emergency Planning Officer Flood and Water Management EMERGENCY Resilience Officer PLANNING FLOOD RESPONSE RESILIENCE & RISK MANAGEMENT

STRATEGIC FLOOD GROUP

Building Control Planning Policy & Public Asset Mgt and Environment Biodiversity GIS & Map info /Trees and Protection Economic Development Rights of Call Centre Development Landscape Databases Housing; Way- Control

Adaptation to Climate Change Water/Utility Company, EA and/or other

Flood Risk Partner 50

Annexe C LLFA Policy on Culverting

Wrexham County Borough Council is generally opposed to the culverting of watercourses because of the adverse ecological, flood risk, human safety and aesthetic impacts. Watercourses are important linear features of the landscape and should be maintained as continuous corridors to maximise their benefits to society.

° the ecology of the watercourse is likely to be degraded by culverting; ° culverting introduces an increased risk of blockage (with consequent increase in flood risk); ° it can complicate maintenance because access into the culvert is restricted (in some cases being classified as a confined space and requiring trained operatives and specialist equipment).

A blockage in a culvert can be very difficult to remove and likely to result in a severe flood risk. For these reasons the provision of a screen at the entrance to the culvert is often considered. Such a screen eliminates the risk of a blockage inside a culvert, but introduces a significant maintenance obligation (to ensure that the screen is kept clean) which far exceeds the typical maintenance requirements of an open watercourse.

Impacts of culverting

Culverts can be impassable to riverine fauna and can create barriers to the movement of fish. Ecology Culverting results in the loss of natural in-stream and bankside habitats through direct removal and loss of daylight.

In urban areas, culverted watercourses are often highly polluted due Pollution to misconnected foul sewers, overflows from blocked sewers or discharges of contaminated surface water.

Culverted sections may create or exacerbate downstream or upstream bank and bed erosion or promote sediment deposition, as Morphology a result of altered water velocities and disruption to the natural transport of sediment

Culverts can hinder future restoration options. This is particularly significant where urban development results in the burial of once Restoration open watercourses beneath housing or commercial centres, or where new development is placed on top of existing culverted watercourses which otherwise might be available for restoration

Culverting of urban waters leads to the loss and degradation of distinctive components of the local landscape. Landscape

and Culverting leads to the loss of green amenity space along river amenity banks and reduced access for recreational opportunities such as angling, walking or canoeing.

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We will consider each application to culvert a watercourse on its own merits and in accordance with our risk-based approach to permitting. We will only approve a culvert if there is no reasonably practicable alternative, or if we think the detrimental effects would be so minor that a more costly alternative would not be justified. In all cases where it is appropriate to do so, applicants must provide adequate mitigation measures and accept sole ownership and responsibility for future maintenance.

We will normally object to proposals to build over existing culverts because of health and safety considerations, increased maintenance costs, and because this would preclude future options to restore the watercourse.

Where appropriate we will encourage the restoration of culverted watercourses to open channels

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Annexe D: Source Control Sustainable Drainage Systems (Defra 2010) (Surface Water Management Technical Guidance–Annexe F Measures to mitigate surface water flood)

Introduction f.1 This technical note outlines potential measures which can be considered to mitigate surface water flood risk. To identify potential measures it is useful to consider the source pathway-receptor approach, and the technical note discusses measures based on this approach.

f.2 In the technical note both structural and non-structural measures are considered and discussed. Structural measures are considered to be measures which require fixed or permanent assets to mitigate flood risk. Non-structural responses are responses to urban flood risk that may not involve fixed or permanent facilities, and their positive contribution to the reduction of flood risk is most likely through a process of influencing behaviour. Behaviour can influence the probability of flooding and its consequences.

Mitigation measures – Source f.3 Source control measures aim to reduce the rate and volume to surface water runoff through infiltration or storage, and hence reduce the impact on receiving drainage systems. Source control of surface water runoff can be achieved through the use of the Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) approach to drainage. Runoff from the urban/rural fringe can be controlled at source to reduce downstream surface water flood risk, through SUDS or land management

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Wrexham Lead Local Flood Authority-Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2013-2019 strategies. The use of SUDS can reduce surface water runoff pollution, and hence contribute to meeting the requirements of the WFD. Examples of SUDS include: • green roof; • soakaways; • swales; • permeable paving; • rainwater harvesting; • detention basins, and; • ponds and wetlands. f.4 Retro-fitting of sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) is challenging but possible with many examples of good practice from both the UK and abroad19. Measures can be considered at the household or neighbourhood level. SUDS can achieve multiple benefits including improvements in surface water runoff quality and potential for grey water reuse. CIRIA is currently authoring guidance on retrofitting SUDS in urban areas, which will be available in 2011.

Box 8 Stormwater management in Skokie, Chicago Properties in the village of Skokie, Chicago, experienced regular basement flooding due to excess storm water entering the combined system. Traditional solutions to resolve the problem such as sewer separation and installation of larger sewers to carry away the storm water were too expensive to implement. To alleviate the flooding flow regulators were installed onto inlet controls along highways and streets. This prevented excess surface water runoff entering the sewer during peak rainfall, which alleviated basement flooding, and instead surface water was designed to ‘pond’ in the streets, and drain into the combined sewer when there was available capacity in the system. A key factor identified in ensuring the success of this program was public engagement and interaction to outline the benefits of this scheme, and it has achieved widespread public acceptance.

For more information on this project click on the links: http://www.skokie.org/public/flood.html

f.5 Green roof systems are another alternative and are best suited to buildings with flat roofs, such as schools and industrial units. Permeable pavements (e.g. in driveways and car parks) limit runoff and maximise potential infiltration opportunities. f.6 Large surface water attenuation ponds are more difficult to retrofit within existing urban areas unless they utilise green space or are on the urban periphery, controlling runoff entering the urban area. The Hartlepool ‘IUD Pilot’ proposed such a solution (Box 9). Detailed guidance and case studies on a variety of sustainable

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Wrexham Lead Local Flood Authority-Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2013-2019 drainage system is available through CIRIA20. Support to local authorities on SUDS and drainage in general is available through the LANDFORM network21. Box 9 Surface water storage to alleviate flooding Hartlepool IUD pilot study examined the possibility of creating surface water storage (dark blue) on the urban periphery to alleviate downstream urban flooding. The study proposed to divert flows from the watercourse into a surface water storage pond (shown in picture in dark blue) to alleviate flooding in the downstream urban area (shown in picture in light blue)

For more detail on the Hartlepool pilot study the report can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/policy/strategy/ha2/Hartlepool/finalreport.pdf

f.7 Where SUDS are proposed it is critical that the ownership, maintenance and adoption are determined early on. This will ensure that SUDS are properly maintained and operated. The proposed Floods and Water Management Bill will transfer responsibility for adoption and maintenance of new build SUDS to unitary and upper tier local authorities as SUDS approval bodies. Forthcoming national SUDS standards will provide the framework for adopting and maintaining new build SUDS. In the case of retrofit SUDS the partners involved in the SWMP study should agree who is best placed to adopt and maintain the system. f.8 The suitability of different ground conditions for SUDS that rely on infiltration or just storage can be mapped to aid selection, as was done in the Lower Irwell ‘IUD pilot’ study. This can provide a very useful tool, but these maps should Box 10 only be used as a guideline, and will need to be supported by site investigations as part of SUDS applications.

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Box 10 SUDS map The Lower Irwell ‘IUD pilot’ developed a SUDS map based on the geology of the catchment, to identify which type of SUDS would be suitable in the catchment. The SUDS map indicated whether an area was suitable for storage-based (grey areas on map) or infiltration-based (orange areas on map) SUDS solutions, or both (green areas on map). This can be a useful tool for planners and others in determining the type of SUDS which are appropriate.

For more information on the Lower Irwell IUD pilot final report: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/flooding/documents/manage/surfacewater/lowirwellrepor t.pdf

Mitigation measures – Pathway f.9 These measures seek to manage the overland and underground flow pathways of water in the urban environment, and include: • increasing capacity in drainage systems; • separation of foul and surface water sewers; • improved maintenance regimes; • managing overland flows, and; • land management practices.

Increasing capacity f.10 A traditional way to limit flooding from drainage networks is to add storage to, or increase the capacity of, underground sewers and drains, as examined in the Torbay ‘IUD pilot’ study. Multiple benefits can be achieved if sewage pollution from combined sewer overflows is reduced at the same time. Surface ponding can be reduced by improving the efficiency or number of road gullies. The overall effectiveness of the existing system can be improved by pro-active maintenance to minimise blockages. f.11 Flooding from urban watercourses can be reduced by adding channel capacity and/or providing storage in the floodplain (e.g. providing upstream storage in restricted urban areas). Flood risk from culverted watercourses can be reduced by opening up culverted channels (‘daylighting’) which also improves local amenity and habitat value. f.12 Capacity in drainage and river systems can be out of balance, with drainage system flooding at a time when there is capacity in the river system. Mitigation measures should consider balancing the system but without increasing flood risk downstream for the full range of flood event probabilities. This will need careful consideration alongside the flood characteristics of the river itself. The Upper Rea ‘IUD Pilot’ explored the relationship between increasing sewer capacity and fluvial flood risk. October 2012 Version 2.3 56

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Separation of foul and surface water sewers f.13 Many drainage networks in England and Wales are combined sewer systems, where the surface and foul water are all drained by a single system. During periods of heavy rainfall this can lead to backing up in the system causing foul flooding and pollution incidents. Separation of surface water from the combined system reduces flooding (and pollution risk) provided surface water is managed effectively. In growth areas separation also creates capacity in sewer networks for new connections.

Box 11 Sewer separation creating additional capacity in combined sewer systems In the Camborne, Pool and Redruth ‘IUD pilot’ study there was a lack of available capacity in the combined sewer system, which was a potential constraint on development. Through the development of existing brownfield sites surface water contributions to the combined system will be reduced which will generate additional headroom in the existing system and creates sufficient capacity to accommodate the full drainage from all new development. This has an additional benefit of reducing the rate, volume and frequency of spills from the combined sewer overflows (CSOs). This case study highlights the opportunity that new development provides to improve existing surface water flood risk and pollution incidents.

f.14 In the North Brent ‘IUD pilot’ the foul sewerage system was predicted to flood during a 1 in 2 (50%) chance rainfall event, due to significant amounts of surface water entering the foul system (see Box 12). Tracking misconnections, reducing infiltration and enforcing building regulations to prevent further misconnections are all possible mitigation measures.

Box 12 Surface water runoff into foul sewerage systems The Brent North IUD pilot study identified that the foul system receives large volumes of runoff during storm events. Runoff enters the foul system through misconnections or cross connections. Due to the high rainfall response the modelling predicted foul flooding for 1 in 2 year rainfall events. Removing the runoff into the foul system could virtually eliminate foul flooding up to the 1 in 30 year rainfall event.

Response in foul sewerage system due to rainfall

For more information on the Brent North IUD pilot study click on the link below:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/policy/strategy/ha2brent.htm Improved maintenance

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Wrexham Lead Local Flood Authority-Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2013-2019 f.15 Improved maintenance regimes can play a role in reducing surface water flood risk. The risk assessment phase will identify the locations which are at greatest risk of flooding, and this information can be used to target improved maintenance at the critical points of the system. In many urban environments there may be ‘quick win’ solutions or measures which can alleviate existing flood risk. In cases where drainage ditches are blocked, or there is evidence that inadequate maintenance of parts of the system then ‘quick win’ measures can be an effective way to reduce existing risk. For example, the Poringland ‘IUD pilot’22 identified blocked drainage ditches as a significant source of local flood risk, which were cleaned out as part of the study. Additionally, West Garforth23 reduced flood risk in the area through a range of ‘quick win’ measures including desilting culverted watercourses and removal of flow obstacles.

Managing overland flows f.16 A successful approach is to keep some surface water on the surface and control its passage through the urban environment to watercourses or storage locations. By creating flood routes, or using the highway network, flood water can be kept away from properties in all but the most extreme events. Changes to profiling of roads, the height of kerbs and the position of speed controls can all be used, as well as using car parks, recreations areas or parkland as compensatory flood storage areas. Consultation with emergency planners is required to appropriately plan and design compensatory flood storage areas. f.17 Detailed guidance on the approaches available and how to design them are included in CIRIA publication (C635) – Designing for Exceedence in Urban Drainage24 The table (taken from C635) summarises different types of above ground storage and conveyance structures that can be used or provided (reproduced with permission from CIRIA). Storage area Description Maximum Acceptable (primary use) water depth flooding hierarchy

SUDS Additional storage used to attenuate Varies > 1 in 30 y SW detention/retenti peak flows for all storms up to depending > 1 in 100 y CS on ponds, normal design events. Volume of upon storage infiltration basins such structures could be increased area design etc to retain Exceedence event volumes depending upon available area.

Car parks Used to temporarily store 0.2m > 1 in 30 y SW Exceedence flows. Depth restricted > 1 in 30 y CS due to potential hazard to vehicles, pedestrians and adjacent property. Could be residential, commercial or industrial.

Recreational Hard surfaces used such as 0.5m unless > 1 in 30 y SW only areas basketball pitches, five-a-side area can be football pitches, hockey pitches, secured, then tennis courts. 1.0m

Minor roads Minor roads typically where 0.1m > 1 in 30 y SW maximum speed limits are 30 mph. > 1 in 30 y CS

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Depth of water can be controlled by design Playing fields Used for sport such as football and 0.5m unless > 1 in 20 y SW only rugby. Set below the ground level in area can be the surrounding area and may cover secured, then a wide area and hence offer large 1.0m storage volume.

Parkland Has a wide amenity use. Often may 0.5m unless > 1 in 30 y SW contain a watercourse. Care needed area can be > 1 in 100 y CS to keep water separate and released secured then in a controlled fashion to prevent 1.0m sudden downstream flooding.

School Hard standing area of schools could 0.3m > 1 in 30 y SW only playgrounds provide significant storage. Extra care should be taken when designing such areas due to high number of children.

Industrial areas Low value storage areas. Care 0.5m > 1 in 50 y SW should be taken in the selection as > 1 in 100 y CS some areas used could create significant surface water pollution. Major Due to their primary function and 0.1m > 1 in 100 y SW roads/motorways importance only used for severe > 1 in 100 y CS events.

Key: SW = surface water flooding CS = combined sewage system flooding y = year

Land management practices f.18 Land management measures which reduce surface water runoff rates and volumes can play a vital role in managing surface water flood risk25. Runoff from rural areas can contribute significant flows to watercourses which may flood further downstream in an urban area. Land management can achieve multiple environmental and flood risk benefits. The CFMP should be consulted where land management measures are proposed in the SWMP.

Mitigation measures – Receptor f.19 Receptors are considered to be people, property and environment; those affected by flooding. Mitigation measures to reduce the impact of flood risk on receptors include: • improved weather warning; • planning policies to influence development; • temporary or demountable flood defences; • social change, education and awareness, and; • improved resilience and resistance measures;

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Improved weather warnings f.20 Weather warnings are a vital means to prepare stakeholders for heavy rainfall which may cause surface water flooding. In 2008 the Met Office and the Environment Agency set up the Flood Forecasting Centre to provide services to service to emergency and professional partners. The Flood Forecasting Centre provides an Extreme Rainfall Alert (ERA) service to Category 1 and Category 2 responders. The ERA is issued at county level and is used to forecast and warn for extreme rainfall that could lead to surface water flooding, particularly in urban areas. It is designed to help local response organisations manage the impact of flooding. The ERA has two products: • guidance – issued when there is a 10% or greater chance or extreme rainfall, and; • alert – issued when there is a greater than 20% chance of extreme rainfall. f.21 The ERA cannot provide site-specific real-time surface water flood forecast, but does offer a county level alert of impending rainfall. The alert is based on the probability of rainfall occurring, rather than being a definitive forecast. f.22 Surface water flooding has very short lead times and is hard to predict because local topography and drainage infrastructure affects the direction or runoff and location of flooding. However, the assessment carried out as part of the SWMP study can identify the likely flow pathways and locations of ponding of surface water, which can be used in parallel with the ERA to improve emergency planning and response for surface water flooding.

Planning policies to influence development f.23 Planning policies can be used to influence the location and requirements of new developments, regeneration, windfall development, or creep. For example, policies could be written to specify the surface water drainage requirements for specific development sites’, which developers should adhere to, or to specify the requirements for windfall development sites. Planning policies can be formally adopted as Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs). More information on SPDs can be found at http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/ldf/ldfguide.html for England and in Wales www.wales.gov.uk f.24 In England New planning rules have been established to control the permitted development of impermeable driveways in front gardens for areas >5m2. This will slow urban creep in high risk areas. In Wales during 2012 they are currently reviewing residential and business/schools permitted development limits. f.25 Developers currently have a ‘right to connect’ to water company drainage systems enshrined in Section 106 of the Water Industry Act (1991). The s42 Flood and Water Management Act 2010 amends this legislation, and gives sewerage undertakers greater ability to control additional connections to their drainage systems .

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Box 13 Working with the planning system Telford & Wrekin ‘IUD pilot’ study was led by the planning authority, Telford & Wrekin Borough Council. It specified detailed developer guidelines and embedded these principles within a ‘surface water management’ Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) associated with the Local Development Framework. The LDF (and associated SPDs) will be subject to consultation locally, and once completed it will be easier for the Council to enforce their surface water management objectives. For more information see http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/flooding/manage/surfacewater/urpilottelf.htm

f.26 In addition the SWMP study can provide developer guidance to developers specifying the locally agreed requirements for surface water management. If guidance is developed through a partnership approach its adherence should ensure smooth passage of developer plans through to construction. The outputs from the SWMP should be used to help inform developers conducting level 1 and 2 site-specific flood risk assessments, in accordance with PPS25. In Wales there are no SWMP but we do have Preliminary Flood Risk Assessments and they should inform the precautionary approach of TAN15.

Box 14 Developer Guidance The CPR IUD pilot study proposed to provide developer guidance to inform developers of the requirements outlined in their prototype SWMP. The developer guidance contains site-specific runoff details and attenuation requirements for each development site and will: • Allow developers to understand the background to the SWMP and the underlying drainage principles and the reasons and limitations of the proposed higher discharge rates associated with the strategic surface water systems. • Provide developers with a high degree of confidence in promoting development by removing the uncertainties associated with surface water requirements within developments. • Allow developers to design drainage within developments knowing the constraints and criteria which they are required to meet, knowing the principles have been agreed by stakeholders and will be permitted through the planning process.

For more information on the CPR IUD pilot study click on the link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/flooding/manage/surfacewater/urpilotkerr.htm

Temporary or demountable flood defences f.27 Temporary or demountable flood defences can be erected in areas more vulnerable to surface water flooding to reduce the consequences of flooding, and to route flood water to a safe location. These flood defences can be installed at the property level (e.g. flood guards on front gates/doors), or street level (e.g. through defences on roads which route water to a safe location, such as open green space). Temporary or demountable flood defences should be used in conjunction with improved flood warning, so that the flood defences can be installed in a timely manner, prior to flood incidents occurring.

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Social change, education and awareness f.28 Public education and awareness is considered to represent a critical component to the success of surface water management action plans. Social education programmes can help communities understand more about surface water flooding, as well as property-level measures which can be taken to reduce their exposure to surface water flooding. Social education and awareness programmes can also increase the take-up of flood warning services, which can help communities be more prepared to respond to heavy rainfall which could result in surface water flooding. The Environment Agency has undertaken a lot of research into public engagement, education and awareness, and appropriate personnel from the Environment Agency should be engaged when considering these options.

Improved resilience and resistance f.29 Whatever other measures are adopted there will always remain a residual flood risk. Existing and new buildings can be adapted to reduce damages from this flooding. Resistance measures prevent water entering the property (e.g. demountable barriers). Resilience measures reduce the damage caused by water within the property (e.g. waterproof flooring). The Government is currently (December 2009) receiving applications to fund property-level flood protection, as part of a £5.5million grant scheme.27 Research by Defra and the Environment Agency has indicated the benefits and costs of different types of flood resistance, resilience and repair, as well as examining the social component which is a key aspect for these measures28. Echoing the Pitt Review, the use of sandbags as a resistance measure is not recommended. A good engagement strategy throughout the SWMP will assist the acceptance of flood resilience and resistance measures, as well as an understanding of residual risk. f.30 In accordance with PPS25, mitigation through building design (resilience or resistance) for new developments is considered to be the least preferred option to managing flood risk. Where mitigation is required, reference should be made to the guidance from Communities and Local Government on improving flood performance of new buildings (see Box 15). PPS25 states that “flood resistance and resilience measures should not be used to justify new development in inappropriate locations29”.

19 http://retrofit-suds.group.shef.ac.uk/index.html 20 http://www.ciria.org.uk/SUDS/publications.htm 21 http://www.ciria.org/landform/ 22 For more information on the Poringland IUD pilot study click on the link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/policy/strategy/ha2porin.htm 23 For more information on West Garforth final report click on the link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/policy/strategy/ha2/WestGarforth/finalreport.pdf 24 CIRIA (2006). Designing for Exceedance in urban drainage – good practice, more information at http://www.ciria.org/acatalog/C635.html 25 For more information on Defra’ s current research into land management practices is available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/adaptationandresilience/landmanagement.htm 26 CLG guidance on the permeable surfacing of front gardens. More information at http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/pavingfrontgardens October 2012 Version 2.3 62

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27 Defra (2008). Property-level flood protection and resilience – launch of £5 million property-level protection grant scheme, more information at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/flooding/manage/propertylevelgrant.htm 28 Defra and Environment Agency Flood and Coastal R&D Programme (2008). Developing the evidence base for flood resistance and resilience: Summary report, FD2607/TR1, available at http://sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=FD2607_7322_TRP.pdf 29 Communities for Local Government (2006). Planning Policy Statement 25: Development and Flood Risk, more information at http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/planningpolicystatement25.pdf

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Annexe E: Environment Agency: Prepare your Property (Environment Agency)

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Annexe F: Other sources of Information

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

The Flood Risk Regulations 2009 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/3042/contents/made

Water Framework Directive: http://www.wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/epq/waterflooding/waterframework/?lang=e n

Welsh Government National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management in Wales http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/epq/waterflooding/flooding/?lang=en

Local Flood Risk Management Strategies - Guidance http://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/publications/111130floodinglocalstrategyen.pdf

Planning Policy Wales http://wales.gov.uk/topics/planning/policy/ppw/;jsessionid=rnpSPzwBK7GxdPrTzqz1JG0KJfdzL1jRk Vkk1tTrPVGyycByHyQT

TAN 14: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/planning/policy/tans/tan14/;jsessionid=M2LVP9tXykhDsF9VNh9cnhxsktG JrNtnQbGrMkc7Qs4GgPzXH6vR

TAN 15: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/planning/policy/tans/tan15/?lang=en

Community engagement toolkit http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/epq/waterflooding/flooding/communities/toolkit/;js essionid=qpbMP9nhMqBC6qBL8Z1xPcPpJ5zyYgP7yBm547pVWCqcD16Zykhb!1858592419?lang =en

One Wales: One Planet http://wales.gov.uk/topics/sustainabledevelopment/publications/onewalesoneplanet/?lang=en

Sustainable Development: – Guidance to Risk Management Authorities http://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/publications/111231floodingsustainableen.pdf

Flood Risk Management toolkit http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/epq/waterflooding/flooding/?lang=en

Climate Change United Kingdom Climate Projections 2009 (UKCP09) http://ukclimateprojections.defra.gov.uk/

The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http:/www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/sternreview_index.htm

Learning Lessons from the 2007 Floods (The Pitt Review) http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100807034701/http://archive.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/pittre view/thepittreview.html

EA Publications

River Basin Management Plans http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/33106.aspx

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Catchment Flood Management Plans http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/33586.aspx

Flooding in Wales: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/library/publications/108958.aspx

Future Flooding in Wales: Flood Defences http://www.environmentagency.gov.uk/research/library/publications/116654.aspx

Environment Agency Flood Map www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/31650.aspx

Working with natural processes to manage flood and coastal erosion risk http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/116707.aspx

‘Living on the Edge’ http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/dispay.php?name=GEHO0407BMFL-E-E

Community Flood Plans www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/38329.aspx

Personal Flood Plan www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/38329.aspx

Prepare your property for flooding - A guide for householders and small businesses http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/PDF/GEHO1009BRDL-E-E.pdf

Environment Agency Working at Construction and demolition sites PPG6 Pollution Prevention Guidelines http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/pollution/39083.aspx

National Flood Forum: Website ‘blue pages’ - a directory of flood protection products and services http://www.bluepages.org.uk/

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Annexe G: Glossary of Terms

A

Act – a Bill approved by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords and formally agreed to by the reigning monarch (known as Royal Assent).

Accretion – The gradual extension of land by natural forces, as in the addition of sand to a beach by the sea, or the extension of a floodplain through the deposition of sediments by repeated flooding.

Assets – structures or a system of structures used to manage flood risk.

B

Bill – a proposal for a new law, or a proposal to change an existing law that is presented for debate before Parliament.

Building Regulations – The UK Building Regulations are rules of a statutory nature to set standards for the design and construction of buildings. Primarily to ensure the safety and health for people in and around those buildings, but also for the purposes of energy conservation and access to and about other buildings.

C

Catchment – An area that serves a river with rainwater; that is, every part of land where the rainfall drains to a single watercourse is in the same catchment.

CFMP – Catchment Flood Management Plans – plans that provide an overview of the flood risk across each river catchment and estuary. They recommend ways of managing those risks now and over the next 50-100 years.

Climate Change – any change in climate over time (usually decades or longer), whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity.

Coastal erosion – the wearing away of coastline, usually by wind and/or wave action.

Coastal erosion risk – measures the significance of potential coastal erosion in terms of likelihood and impact.

Coastal erosion risk management – anything done for the purpose of analysing, assessing and reducing a risk of the wearing away of coastline.

Coastal Flooding – Occurs when coastal defences are unable to contain the normal predicted high tides that can cause flooding, possibly when a high tide combines with a storm surge (created by high winds or very low atmospheric pressure).

Coastal Squeeze – Where the coast is protected by engineering structures, the rising sea level results in a steepening of the intertidal profile, known as coastal squeeze.

Community Infrastructure Levy – a mechanism for raising additional funding at the local level.

Critical National Infrastructure – Infrastructure that supplies essential services, e.g. water, energy, communications, transport etc.

Cultural Heritage – Buildings, structures and landscape features that have an historic value.

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Culvert – a covered structure under road, embankment etc, to direct the flow of water.

D

Defences – A structure that is used to reduce the probability of floodwater or coastal erosion affecting a particular area.

Deposition – The process whereby sediment is placed on the sea bed, shoreline, river bed or flood plain.

Draft Bill – a Bill published in draft before introduction before Parliament.

E

EAW/EA – Environment Agency Wales and Environment Agency – Executive Non­ departmental Public Body responsible to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and a Welsh Government sponsored Public Body responsible to the Welsh Ministers.

F

FCERM – Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management.

Flood – any case where land not normally covered with water becomes covered by water.

Flood and Water Management Act 2010 – an Act of Parliament updating and amending legislation to address the threat of flooding and water scarcity, both of which are predicted to increase with climate change.

Flood risk – product of the probability of flooding occurring and the consequences when flooding happens.

Flood risk management – the activity of understanding the probability and consequences of flooding, and seeking to modify these factors to reduce flood risk to people, property and the environment. This should take account of other water level management and environmental requirements, and opportunities and constraints.

Flood risk management measures – The way in which flood risks are to be managed.

Flood risk management Wales – The Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC) for Wales.

Flood Risk Regulations 2009 – Regulations which transpose the EC Floods Directive (Directive 2007/60/EC on the assessment and management of flood risks) into domestic law and to implement its provisions.

Floodline Warnings Direct – is a free service that provides flood warnings direct to you by telephone, mobile, email, SMS text message and fax.

G

Groundwater – water held underground in the soil or in pores and crevices in rock.

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

H

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I

IDB - Internal Drainage Board – Independent statutory bodies responsible for land drainage in areas of special drainage need in Wales and England. They are long established bodies operating predominantly under the Land Drainage Act 1991 and have permissive powers to undertake work to secure drainage and water level management of their districts.

J

K

L

LLFA – Lead Local Flood Authority – (Local Authority) the County Council or the County Borough Council for the area.

Local Authority special levies – are paid to Internal Drainage Boards by local authorities within a drainage district in relation to the benefits of water level management for non-agricultural land.

Local Flood Risk: defined within the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 as including surface runoff, groundwater and ordinary watercourses.

Local Flood Risk Management Strategy: required in relation to Wales by Section 10 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 local flood risk strategies are to be prepared by lead local flood authorities and must set out how they will manage local flood risks within their areas.

LRF - Local Resilience Forum – a group required under the Civil Contingencies Act, 2004 who are responsible for the coordination of emergency planning in local areas.

M

Main River – A watercourse shown as such on the Main River Map, and for which the Environment Agency has responsibilities and powers.

Managed Realignment – A coastal defence technique which aims to achieve sustainable flood defence by recreating eroded salt marsh and mudflat habitats.

N Network Rail (Raitrack) (NR) O

Ordinary Watercourse – all watercourses that are not designated Main River, and which are the responsibility of Local Authorities or, where they exist, Internal Drainage Boards.

P

Q

R

Recovery – The process of rebuilding, restoring and rehabilitating the community following an emergency.

Reservoir – an artificial lake where water is collected and stored until needed. Reservoirs can be used for irrigation, recreation, providing water for municipal needs, hydroelectric power or

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Residual risk – the risk that remains after risk control measures have been put in place. For example: a flood defence may reduce the likelihood of flooding, but if the flooding behind the defences is very deep, the residual risk to people is very high, and further action may be necessary to reduce the residual risk further.

Resilience – The ability of the community, services, area or infrastructure to avoid being flooded, lost to erosion or to withstand the consequences of flooding or erosion taking place.

RFCC – Regional Flood and Coastal Committee – An Environment Agency committee, responsible for consenting medium and long term plans and operational plans to the Agency’s Board and Head Office. Monitors and reports on progress. In Wales there is only one RFCC and this is the FRMW (Flood Risk Management Wales) group.

Risk – measures the significance of a potential event in terms of likelihood and impact. In the context of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, the events in question are emergencies.

Risk Assessment – A structured and auditable process of identifying potential significant events, assessing their likelihood and impacts and then combining these to provide an overall assessment of risk to inform further decisions and actions.

Risk Management – anything done for the purpose of analysing, assessing and reducing a risk.

Risk Management Authority – A Welsh risk management authority is defined in Section 6 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 as the Environment Agency, a lead local flood authority, a district council for an area for which there is no unitary authority, an IDB for an internal drainage district that is wholly or mainly in Wales and a water company that exercises functions in relation to an area in Wales.

Risk Management Schemes – a range of actions to reduce flood frequency and/or the consequences of flooding to acceptable or agreed levels.

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

Roll Back – as natural defences fail the coast will ‘roll back’ naturally, creating an opportunity for the expansion of intertidal and coastal habitats.

S

Sewer – An artificial conduit, usually underground, for carrying off sewage (a foul sewer) or rainwater (a storm sewer) or both (a combined sewer).

Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) – A large-scale assessment of the risks associated with coastal processes and helps reduce these risks to people and the developed, historic and natural environments.

Special Area of Conservation- (SAC) Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are strictly protected sites designated under the EC Habitats Directive. Article 3 of the Habitats Directive requires the establishment of a European network of important high-quality conservation sites that will make a significant contribution to conserving the 189 habitat types and 788 species identified in Annexes I and II of the Directive (as amended). The listed habitat types and species are those considered to be most in need of conservation at a European level (excluding birds). Of the Annex I habitat types, 78 are believed to occur in the UK. Of the Annex II species, 43 are native to, and normally resident in, the UK.

Statement of Environmental Particulars – A statutory requirement under the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Wales) Regulations 2004. It sets out how the findings of the Environmental Report have been taken into account and how views expressed during the consultation period have been taken into account during the development of the National Strategy.

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SuDS – Sustainable Drainage Systems – Approach to surface water management which helps to deal with excesses of water by mimicking natural drainage processes and patterns

Surface Water Flooding – In the urban context, usually means that surface water runoff rates exceed the capacity of drainage systems to remove it. In the rural context, it is where surface water runoff floods something or someone.

Surface water runoff – This occurs when the rate of rainfall exceeds the rate that water can infiltrate the round or soil.

T

Technical Advice Note 14: Coastal Planning – TAN 14 supports Planning Policy Wales and covers all aspects of planning for new development and the coastal zone.

Technical Advice Note 15: Development & Flood Risk – TAN 15 supports Planning Policy Wales and makes it clear how local authorities should make decisions about different types of development on flood plains, providing clear tests for justification and acceptability of flooding consequences, and enabling the consideration of risks over the lifetime of the new development.

Third Sector – Voluntary and not-for-profit organisations.

U

V

W

Wales Flood Group – a sub group of a Wales Resilience Forum.

Water company – a company which holds an appointment under Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Water industry Act 1991 or a licence under Chapter 1A of Part 2 of that Act.

Watercourse – A channel natural or otherwise along which water flows.

Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) – represents the interests of Local Authorities in Wales. The three fire and rescue authorities, four police authorities and three national park authorities are associate members.

WFD – Water Framework Directive

X

Y

Z

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