Draft flood risk and river basin management plans – short delay to consultation on plans
Defra – announcement from the Environment Agency: We have decided to delay the start of the consultations on the draft flood risk management plans (FRMPs) and updated draft river basin management plans (RBMPs) until slightly later in the autumn to allow us to review, upload and test the 500+ supporting documents and files. We have not taken this decision lightly, but ultimately we want to ensure stakeholders have access to the best possible information to help them respond. We are also coordinating with SEPA in Scotland and NRW in Wales to maintain consistent engagement with cross-border stakeholders.
The consultations on the draft FRMPs and updated draft RBMPs will still be open for 3 months and 6 months respectively, so the delay will not compromise the time stakeholders have to participate in the consultation.
The consultations do not mark the start of engagement on either set of draft plans, which have been developed through partnership and collaboration. Lead Local Flood Authorities have been working incredibly hard with us to prepare the draft FRMPs for consultation, and we appreciate their efforts to achieve this. Equally Liaison Panels and Catchment Partnerships have played a valued and critical role in informing and shaping updated draft RBMPs. Despite the delay in the start of the formal consultations, we will continue to share information to facilitate engagement with stakeholders.
As soon as we have a revised launch date, which we hope will be in October, we will share this with you. In the mean time if you have any questions, please contact
- for FRMPs – Wendy Brooks wendy.brooks@environment-agency.gov.uk
- for RBMPs – Ben Bunting ben.bunting@environment-agency.gov.uk
Mark Rosenberg Deafra.
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