Contentious flood risk guidance which some councils in Wales feared would thwart regeneration projects might be made more flexible. The Welsh Government is consulting on proposed changes to the guidance, called Technical Advice Note 15 (Tan 15), which have been welcomed by Swansea Council.
Ministers had planned to bring in Tan 15 in December 2021. It proposed new flood zone designations, and the need to consider flood risk posed by climate change as well as existing flood risk levels. Maps published on behalf of the Welsh Government showed more of the country being at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea than previously.
But just a week before the planned implementation, Climate Change Minister Julie James put Tan 15 on hold for 18 months following concerns from local authorities about its potential impact on development schemes. Swansea Council, for example, supports development on seven large and mainly low-lying sites in the city, such as by the River Tawe's Sail Bridge, and has a private sector partner on board to take the concept forward. The flood guidance also had an impact on projects in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire.
