National
The Environment Act 2021 creates the provision for targets plans and policies that will improve the natural environment, including the water environment, and nature and biodiversity. The Act allows some aspects of environmental protection to become law and offers powers to set binding targets for nature, including water and biodiversity. The Act is a key framework for many of the below policies and laws.
Sets out the Government’s goals for improving the environment, including for water and land, within a generation, and leaving it in a better state than it was found it. It details how government will work with communities and businesses to do this.
Environmental Improvement Plan 2023
This sets out the steps the government intends to take to improve the natural environment, including measures needed to meet the statutory long-term targets on biodiversity, trees, water, marine protected areas, air quality, and resource management. The plan covers the five years (2023-2028) and builds on the 25-Year Environment Plan.
The Plan for Water Sets out the actions DEFRA will take to transform the management of the water system, clean up the water environment and create a sustainable supply of water for people, businesses, and nature. The plan covers the water environment, how clean it is, and water resources. It brings together the significant action already taken, along with more investment, stronger regulation, and tougher enforcement on those who pollute.
Severn River Basin Management Plan
Updated in 2022 River Basin Management Plans set the legally binding locally specific environmental objectives that underpin water regulation (such as permitting) and planning activities. They provide a stable planning base for economic development. This includes investment programmes such as the: Water Industry National Environment Improvement Programme (WINEP); strategic water resources solutions being developed by the Regulators Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID); and the government’s environmental land management schemes and England Trees Action Plan. The plans are a delivery mechanism for the 25-Year Environment Plan ‘clean and plentiful water’ goal.
Severn River Basin Flood Risk Management Plan
Flood Risk Management Plans set out how organisations, stakeholders and communities will work together to manage flood risk in England. The current plans cover 2021-2027, the plans explain the objectives and actions needed to manage flood risk at a national and local level. There is national guidance available alongside the specific link to guidance for the Severn River Basin linked above.
Catchment Based Approach (CaBA)
The BACP is one of 100 catchments across England that delivers the Catchment Based Approach, a Defra-backed initiative.