Defence Online

Bristol City Council’s Cabinet has given the green light to progress to the next stage of a flood defence improvement project along the Severn Estuary which is expected to boost economic development and ecology in the Avonmouth area.Cabinet meeting approved the council’s financial contribution of up to £31.95m for the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area (ASEA) ecological mitigation and flood defence project, which crosses the City of Bristol and South Gloucestershire boundary.The decision, following South Gloucestershire’s approval of progress last month, is another major step in the development of the ASEA which aims to support the creation of 12,000 new jobs in the area by 2026, while reducing the risk of flooding to communities and businesses in Avonmouth.Both Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council recently passed ‘resolutions to approve’ planning permission for the project – 17km of improved sea defences and at least 80 hectares of wetland areas for ecological mitigation – with council planning teams now developing planning conditions before full planning permission is given.The scheme, a partnership between Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council and the Environment Agency, is also aiming to establish a thriving environment with the creation of a new wetland habitat of at least 80 hectares at Northwick and Hallen Marsh to help protect the internationally important bird species that live on the estuary.The proposed flood defence upgrade involves raising existing earth embankments and walls as well as innovative techniques using glass panels to ensure views out to the Severn Estuary are retained.The new flood defences will allow for anticipated rising sea levels and will ensure that any flood risk is reduced for at least 60 years.