Curig
Jones - 1 October 2008 - New plans to prepare
Wales for flooding which will become more
frequent because of climate change will
be revealed by Environment Agency Wales
during September. This begins an extensive
3 month consultation process with representatives
of those most affected by flooding.
The Catchment Flood
Management Plans (CFMPs) are long term strategic
plans to address the predicted increase
in flooding and the serious implications
for Wales’ homeowners, landowners, economy
and environment.
The predicted rise in
heavy rainfall due to climate change is
expected to increase incidents in Wales
over the next 100 years.
With this in mind, Environment
Agency Wales will spend the next 3 months
consulting with key organisations and community
representatives to gain valuable local knowledge
and start a wider debate on the future of
flood risk management in a changing climate.
The CFMPs high level
plans are supported by both the Welsh Assembly
Government and Defra in England, and are
based on river and not political boundaries.
Chris Mills, Director,
Environment Agency Wales, said;
“Traditionally, the
approach to managing flood risk has been
dominated by the construction of flood defences.
But in the future it will not be possible
to defend everyone, everywhere, all of the
time.
“Building higher and
higher defences won’t solve the problem
in 100 years time. We have to put plans
in motion now to collectively find the best
solutions for dealing with increased volumes
of water that will inevitably cause us problems
in the future.
“We have seen over the
last few days the problems that floods can
cause. It is important that we look to tackle
flooding now and in the future.”
+ More
Environment Agency signs
deal for a green HQ
National Press Office
- 29-Sep-2008 - The ‘greenest’ development
in Bristol will be the new home to the Environment
Agency’s national headquarters, it was announced
today (Monday).
Following Government
approval and exchange of contracts, Westmark’s
Cabot House in central Bristol, will be
the new national headquarters for the Environment
Agency from late 2010. The move will save
an estimated £180,000 per year by
relocating to a smaller, more efficient
building.
Westmark will construct
the new office building to meet the Building
Research Establishment's Environmental Appraisal
Method (BREEAM) ‘excellent’ criteria, making
it one of the greenest office buildings
in the UK. Up to 1,000 Environment Agency
staff will occupy 70,000 sq ft of the building,
which will include:
• a natural ventilation
system,
• a comprehensive rainwater
harvesting system,
• on site renewable
sources like solar power to help meet the
building’s energy needs,
• a green management
plan to minimise the use of energy, water
and reduce the waste going off site.
With the inclusion of
such features, the Environment Agency is
aiming for the building to be carbon neutral
by 2012. In addition, more than 50 per cent
of recycled material will be used in the
construction and fit out of the building.
Graham Ledward, Director
of Resources at the Environment Agency,
said: "Today’s news will see the relocation
of the Environment Agency headquarters to
a more sustainable building in Bristol city
centre with one of the best environmental
ratings possible.
"There were a number
of very competitive proposals from different
developers, but we believe the option chosen
represents best value for money and will
provide a better working environment for
our staff. It is encouraging to see that
sustainable buildings are becoming a stronger
feature in the market and we hope that Westmark’s
building will set an example for future
commercial developments to follow."
Euan Cresswell, Managing
Director at Westmark, explained: "Westmark
is committed to delivering an exemplary
green building within normal commercial
building costs.
"We intend to demonstrate
that by working with the future occupier,
the delivery of sustainable solutions is
within the reach of any commercial development.
We are delighted that the Environment Agency
has chosen Westmark as their property supplier
for their headquarters."
Councillor Helen Holland,
Leader of Bristol City Council, said: "It's
great news for our city that Europe's largest
organisation dedicated to protecting and
improving the environment has chosen to
relocate to Bristol.
"This decision
by the Environment Agency reflects Bristol's
continued success in attracting major public
sector organisations and private sector
companies, and underlines why Bristol has
the most successful English economy outside
London. Bristol is keen to gain the title
of European green capital and this announcement
gives our city the opportunity to further
develop partnerships which can lead the
way in sustainable development."
The move to Cabot House,
situated on a brownfield site with low ecological
value, is part of the Environment Agency’s
programme to consolidate its operations
from three sites in the area (Aztec West,
Westbury on Trym and Twerton near Bath)
to one site.
