New planning rules to protect developments from climate change-related flooding are causing a headache for Swansea Council even though their implementation has been delayed. The council is working with flood risk consultants to better understand the potential impacts of flooding from the River Tawe, particularly around the Sainsbury's store and Sail Bridge area.
The authority was one of a number of Welsh councils which expressed concerns to the Welsh Government about new planning guidance it proposed to bring into force in December last year. The guidance, known as Tan 15, required developers and planning authorities to consider the risk of floods and coastal erosion caused by a warming planet. Accompanying maps showed a growing proportion of Wales being at risk of flooding from rivers and the sea, including areas of Swansea, Cardiff and Newport.
A week before the guidance came into force, Climate Change Minister Julie James announced it would be delayed until June 2023. She instructed every council to review their own flood consequence assessment within 12 months and consider ways to adapt to increased risks.
