The Welsh Government has launched its national strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management – https://gov.wales/national-strategy-flood-and-coastal-erosion-risk-management-wales.   It sets out long-term policies to manage flooding – as well as the measures that will be taken over the next decade by organisations like Natural Resources Wales, local authorities and water companies to improve how the country plans, prepares and adapts to climate change over the coming century.

Fresh guidance in the shape of an updated Technical Advice Note 15 is promised by 2021.  Part of the new approach is the Wales Flood Map, also just launched – https://naturalresources.wales/evidence-and-data/maps/long-term-flood-risk/?lang=en.  This is designed to bring all Welsh flood and coastal risk mapping in one place, starting with the new Flood Risk Assessment for Wales (FRAW).  The FRAW maps will be updated every six months so that people can see how flood schemes have reduced risk.

Monmouthshire’s Replacement Local Development Plan will not now be adopted before the autumn of 2023.  A report to the Council on 22 October explains that, because of Covid-19, progress on the replacement was halted on government advice in March and that a review of the consequences of the pandemic, together with revised population and household projections, requires a new programme, or Delivery Agreement.

It is intended to revisit both the Growth and Spatial Options and the Preferred Strategy stages, with consultation on the former in December and January.  The Preferred Strategy will then be the subject of consultation in May/June 2021 with the full Deposit Plan consultation in July/September 2022.

The Welsh Government has enabled the present LDP to endure until it is replaced – about 21 months longer than its original life.

MCC and their partners are soon to consult on the latest stage of the Chepstow Transport Study, a short list of options from which a preference will be selected.  To participate visit https://virtualengage.arup.com/chepstow-transport-study from 2 November to 13 December.