Blue is the new green
Environment Secretary, David Miliband, has followed advice given by CIWEM to the Government in 2004, when the Institution proposed the creation of a 'Blue Belt' land designation, similar to Green Belts around major UK cities. This would prevent further development in the most flood prone areas, recognising that with climate change and rising sea levels, building homes on floodplains is not sustainable.
On March 9, 2007, David Miliband, the Environment Secretary, confirmed that the need for new homes required a ‘radical rethink’ on land use, and advocated the development of ‘Turquoise Belts’ alongside rivers and waterways, preventing developers from building homes and roads right up to the edge of river and canal banks. Miliband argues that turquoise belts are more cost-effective and better for the environment than using hard engineering to insulate homes from flood risks.
Ten percent of the population of England and Wales are already at risk of flooding. Additional urbanisation in catchment floodplains increases flood risk and prevents the recharge of groundwater resources from rainwater runoff.
CIWEM believes that Blue Belt land should be developed as a valuable amenity for people and wildlife. Designated areas would be inundated in times of flood, therefore increasing catchment storage and reducing flood risk to property, as well as improving biodiversity and recreation opportunities. CIWEM believes that existing homes that would fall within Blue Belt designated land should be earmarked by the Government for assistance in improving their flood resilience, thereby addressing the difficulty in insuring such properties.
CIWEM’s Executive Director, Nick Reeves, said: “CIWEM is pleased that the Government is listening to recommendations that will make planners and developers consider climate change in their decision making processes. We need to be more flexible in our approach to climate change if we are to achieve a true low carbon economy.”
