^ - Sox. 2_ local'environment agency plan SEVERN VALE ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2000 TEWKESBURY CHELTENHAM under-Edge AVONMOUTH ▼ T E n v ir o n m e n t A g e n c y ▼ SO 00 SP Severn Vale Local Environment Agency Plan R iv e r M ap 2 r {Severn N______^ f T ) 'o re y s 8i«* / \ 6 t > \ * \ "s { Wychavon A V O N M O U T H ^ ... / ' CITY & COUNTY OF BRISTOL ST 00 SU W est SO 00 SP M idlands Stour Severn Vale Local UPPER SEVERN AREA Environment Agency Plan Map 1 E n v i r o n m e n t A g e n c y This map >1 based upon the OS 1 50000 maps by the Environment Agency with the permission o* the Controller ot Her Majesty's Stationery Office, ©Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Warwickshire Avon Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings licence Number CO 03177C LEDBURY .TEWKESBURY LOWEKSEV/ERN AREA Ashlewortl \8nakJ ENVIRONMENT AGENCY CHELTENHAM WALES (SOUTH EAST AREA) Wye Area .1Norman iinderford -40 THAMES WEST AREA Rural Usk Upper Thames SO \ SP oo V 00 S ir .... SU : The Severn Vale LEAP and Other Plans Eastern KEY Valleys 90 — ..... LEAP boundary Severn Vale Area — ■ Environment Agency Area Office boundary -------- Main river NORTH WESSEX AREA AVONMOUTH, Ordinary watercourse 80 Bristol Avon -------- Canal Built up area Severn Estuary Strategy boundary Area covered by the ►rth Severn Estuary Shoreline Somerset 0 10km Management Plan Streams ___ 1 i_______ i_______ i_______ i_______ I 50 Foreword Welcome to the Environment Agency's local action plan for the Severn Vale area. This plan sets out the work that the Agency and others will carry out over the next five years to tackle those local environmental issues and problems that have been identified and can be addressed locally. The document has been produced after extensive public consultation following the launch of the Severn Vale LEAP Consultation Draft in March 1999. We are grateful to the many individuals and organisations who responded at this stage. Their comments have allowed us to evaluate the issues raised in the Consultation Draft and refine them for this action plan. As a result of the consultation, four additional issues have been included in the plan. Three more issues have been included following renewed internal consultation within the Agency. The progress of the plan will be monitored. Annual reviews will be produced and sent out free of charge to those who responded to the Consultation Draft, and to key partners and any other interested groups. The reviews will also report on changes in the local environment, new legislation and any new issues that arise. The work of the Agency is increasingly being implemented through partnerships, as it becomes recognised that more can be achieved by working together. Many of the issues in this plan reflect the need for co-operation, bringing together the complementary responsibilities, powers and finances of different groups. Reducing the amount of waste produced by local companies, restoring and creating new wetland habitats, and providing an effective flood warning system all illustrate the need for collaborative working. I am convinced that the implementation of this Action Plan will lead to improvements in the environm ent of the Severn Vale area. I hope you will find the action plan of interest. If you have any comments or wish to become actively involved in addressing the issues raised, we would like to hear from you. Bill Forbes Lower Severn Area Manager ii Vision for the Severn Vale The Environment Agency's overall aim is for encouraging the minimisation, re-use and a "better environment in England and Wales recycling of waste, and by improving for present and future generations". We will standards of waste disposal. achieve this by taking an integrated and • To manage water resources and long-term approach to protecting and encourage their proper use in order to enhancing the environment. A sustainable achieve the proper balance between • environment is one where there is a balance society's needs and the environment. between economic, social and L • To work with other orgar / A P j environmental factors. reclaim contaminated lar We will manage our activities and duties to 6 OTC • To improve, develop and address local concerns and promote and freshwater fisheries. En v ir o n m e n t Ag e n c y environmental enhancements that are sustainable. The successful management of • To educate and provide i the local environment will also require us to the key to changing the • respond effectively to the ever-increasing individuals and industry. NATIONAL LIBRARY & INFORMATION SERVICE pressures exerted on it and to target • To work with local author resources where they are most needed. the impacts of land use p h e a d o f f ic e The Environment Agency has developed the environment. following set of objectives to clearly focus its • To have regard to the pro Rio House. Waterside Drive. efforts to achieve a better environment in Aztec West. Almondsbury. archaeological, heritage a Bristol BS32 4UD the Severn Vale. They relate to our national features in carrying out 01 objectives and to the powers and duties • To set priorities and work given to us by Government. that society can afford. Our Key Environmental Objectives for the Severn Vale are: We will achieve these objectives by: • To achieve major and continuous • Being open and consulting with others improvements in the quality of air, land about our work and water. • Basing our decisions around sound • To realise opportunities for the science and research conservation and enhancement of natural resources, animals and plants. • Valuing and developing our employees • To control pollution and manage the river • Being efficient and business-like in all basin in an integrated way. we do • To maintain, operate and improve • Regulating the activities of those who protection against flooding from rivers have a potential impact on the and the sea, where appropriate, and environment by setting and enforcing continue to improve our flood warning consistent standards. service in flood risk areas. • Setting an example by demonstrating • To improve recreational facilities along best practice in our own activities watercourses, including promotion of the • Developing partnerships and securing the Severn Way. involvement of others • To reduce the impact of waste Encouraging the prudent u management on the environment by resources ENVIRONMENT AGENCY 032668 Tackling the issues in this plan will sustainable development in the Severn Vale contribute to the achievement of these will require long term planning, careful objectives. Some of these objectives balancing of priorities and the commitment compliment each other, whilst others may of everyone who uses or manages the require a degree of compromise. Achieving environment. By working together, we can make this vision become reality. "Severn Noose" by Steve Hyslop CONTENTS Foreword ....................................................................................................................................... (ii) Map 1 ..............................................................................................................................................(iii) Map 2 ..............................................................................................................................................(iv) Vision for the Severn V a le ............................................................................................................. (v) 1.0 Introduction 1.1 The Environment A gency.............................................................................................. 1 1.2 The Local Environment Agency Plan Process................................................................ 2 1.2.1 LEAPs and Other Plans....................................................................................... 3 1.2.2 Statutory and Advisory C om m ittees................................................................ 5 1.2.3 Area Environment C ro u p s ................................................................................ 5 1.3 Sustainable Development, Biodiversity and Global Climate C h a n g e ..................... 5 1.3.1 Sustainable Development ................................................................................ 5 1.3.2 Biodiversity.......................................................................................................... 6 1.3.3 Global Climate C hange..................................................................................... 6 Contents 2.0 The Severn Vale 2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 9 2.2 Summary of Uses, Activities and State of the Environm ent..................................... 9 2.2.1 Geology and Topography ................................................................................ 10 2.2.2 LandUse ............................................................................................................. 10 2.2.3 H o u sing ............................................................................................................... 10 2.2.4 Infrastructure ...................................................................................................... 10 2.2.5 In d u s try ............................................................................................................... 10 2.2.6 M inerals..............................................................................................................