Retain water on floodplains and wetlands

Wetlands are the engines of the water world – filtering water, sustaining flows, reducing flood risk, and providing important wildlife habitats. England was once rich in wetlands, but we have drained and pumped them dry. In the past 100 years, we have lost more than 90% of lowland raised bogs, and 75% of our ponds and floodplain grasslands.

Restore large areas of wetland and floodplains to create vital wildlife habitats, improve water quality and quantity, and reduce urban flooding

1. By 2007, local planning authorities should no longer be able automatically to approve major development in floodplains.
   
2. By 2008, Defra must authorise the Environment Agency to intervene where local authorities and Internal Drainage Boards fail to meet their statutory obligations to wetland habitats.
   
3. In the 2009 price review, Ofwat should approve water company investment in upland wetland restoration to enhance biodiversity and protect raw water quality.
   
4. By 2010 Defra and DCLG must stop supporting uneconomic drainage and defence of agricultural land.
5. By 2012, the Environment Agency should begin a national programme of large-scale floodplain restoration to enhance biodiversity and reduce flood risk.