Yorkshire MEP asks Environment Agency to reconsider flood plans

Yorkshire Conservative MEP Timothy Kirkhope is today holding meetings with representatives of the Environment Agency (EA) on behalf of residents who feel their homes are at risk from the EA's proposed 'Making Space For Water' strategy.

Concerns were raised with Mr Kirkhope late last year when the EA held a meeting with residents.

Many vast areas of farmland around Driffield and some properties could disappear under water in future years if the proposals are sanctioned.

Throughout the UK catchment areas are being assessed following the publication in 2005 of a government document 'Planning for the Rising Tides' and the entry in November 2007 of a European directive on flooding.

The directive requires the UK to assess which water courses 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.

Under the EA's proposed strategy 'Making Space For Water', maintenance of flood defences would be withdrawn and flooded land would be left to drain naturally rather than pumped away.

The EA says this is the most cost effective way of protecting urban areas such as the city of Hull and other conurbations from being hit.

Although the agency is working against the clock to meet a deadline of the end of this year, residents have been angered by the lack of consultation over the new plans.

Mr Kirkhope, who leads the Conservative MEPs in Brussels, is calling on other MPs and Councillors in the areas affected to represent residents and stand firm against the plans.

Mr Kirkhope, who was very active in trying to secure European funding for those affected by flooding in 2007, believes that the strategy will devastate to many local communities.

Mr Kirkhope said: "Evidence suggests that it was the deterioration of flood defences that caused the appalling flooding in 2007. Now the Environment Agency is proposing we should adopt a "do nothing" approach, giving up agricultural land to the rising tide.

This is the latest in a long line of measures in which this Labour government demonstrates its utter contempt for farmers and rural communities. I'm sure the measures will see house prices plummet, farms struggle and rural communities suffer.

I would like to have seen more constructive dialogue about the plans, and I will be asking the Environment Agency for more time so that we can assess the judicial review of this flood prevention strategy."