Victoria invited experts from: The Environment Agency, Witham 3rd District Internal Drainage Board, Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board, Anglian Water, as well as portfolio holders from both Lincolnshire County Council and East Lindsey District Council, to attend this public meeting so that they could explain the progress that has been made in protecting our local communities and to answer questions directly from the public. The event was well-attended by residents, local business people and district and parish councillors from across the constituency.
The Environment Agency gave a presentation on the much-needed Horncastle and Louth flood alleviation schemes, which cost £8.1m and £6.5m respectively, which will help to protect the two market towns.
Concerns were raised at the meeting that Lincolnshire County Council and Anglian Water, amongst others with a role in the flood alleviation process, did not respond to every planning application when requested to do so by East Lindsey District Council (ELDC). Councillor Craig Leyland, Leader of ELDC, explained that this impeded their ability to review such applications properly. Victoria pressed County Councillor Colin Davey and Flood Risk Manager from Anglian Water, Jonathan Glerum, to commit their organisations to respond to such planning applications as required. The audience broke into applause when both made that commitment.
Victoria said,
“I am pleased that the flood forum received the support it did from local residents. The investment in the flood alleviation schemes in Horncastle and Louth are much needed and welcome, but we must not rest on our laurels.
Concerns about inland flooding, as well as related issues such as planning applications, are raised frequently by my constituents. I therefore decided to hold a public meeting bringing together all of the experts involved in flood planning so that local residents could raise their concerns directly and progress can be made to ensure those concerns are met by the organisations involved.
I am particularly pleased that Anglian Water and Lincolnshire County Council have listened to the worries of local residents and will act to help planning enquiries into large housing applications in the future.”
Victoria will hold a similar event on the coast later in the year to address coastal flooding.