Welcome to the Environment Agency’s online consultation hub

We asked your views on an application to vary the radioactive substances permit for BAE Systems Marine Ltd, Barrow Shipyards.

We received 2 responses in total to our public consultation. Of these responses, 1 was from an individual and 1 was from an organisation. The responses we received have been summarised in the consultation response document.

We assessed the application and the consultation responses were considered as part of this assessment. We issued the permit variation on 23 August 2022. The key changes to the permit are:

• extension of the permit boundary to include Devonshire Dock Quay
• addition of conditions and limits for keeping and use of radioactive material and accumulation of solid and liquid radioactive waste at Devonshire Dock Quay

As part of the ongoing work to improve Park Wood, the Environment Agency will be installing new way markers on the footpaths within the wood.

We asked your views on whether the proposed path routes were suitable for regular users of the woodland.

We received 76 responses in total. Of these responses, 72 were from individuals, 3 were from an organisation or group and 1 was from other. The responses we received have been summarised in the consultation response document.

We have reviewed all the responses we received from the consultation. We will:

• amend the route map to include suggested changes received during the consultation.
• put way markers up on the footpaths in the wood to ensure routes are clearly signposted, by July 2022. Only way-marked paths will be given a Public Safety Risk Assessment and appropriate actions taken when needed.  For example, removing dangerous branches/brush.
• investigate whether additional bridges would result in additional liability and, if so, whether this is something we would wish to take on. Subject to the outcome of our investigations, if the local community would be interested in raising funds for a bridge, we would be open to exploring this option.
• continue to explore further options for horse access within the wood.
• continue to explore a solution to the flooding problems in the wood together with our partners. And will carry out remedial work in April 2022 to try and address this issue.
• assess whether further improvements to the all-access track are needed.

Individuals who wish to follow up their responses, or points made within this document in more detail, are welcome to contact us at park.wood@environment-agency.gov.uk

We have worked together with lead local flood authorities (LLFAs) and other risk management authorities (RMAs) to produce draft flood risk management plans (FRMPs) for public consultation.  

FRMPs are strategic plans that set out how to manage flood risk in nationally identified flood risk areas (FRAs) for the period 2021-2027, and are statutory plans required by the Flood Risk Regulations 2009. 

This consultation ran from 11am on 22 October 2021 to 11:45pm on 21 January 2022.  

On 18 May 2022 we published a summary of responses.

We received 255 responses in total. The main themes you raised were:

• Partnerships – the value of working in partnership to plan and deliver flood risk management solutions.
• Engagement – the value of engagement and working in partnership with all organisations and government departments.
• Nature-based solutions – support for the implementation of nature-based solutions, including natural flood management techniques, so more biodiversity and environmental benefits can be delivered across the flood and water environment.
• Catchment-based approach – support for and a greater emphasis on this for flood risk management.
• Alignment - the need to align with other plans and strategies so delivery is effective, for example, local nature recovery strategies, and shoreline management plans.
• Land management – the need to consider all land uses, when assessing and managing flood risk, including the benefits of agricultural land.
• Climate change and adaptation – the importance of working together across all organisations to adapt and having better information on factors such as the carbon footprint of the measures.
• Funding – the need to identify funding and resources for the timely delivery of measures.
• Readability – the ability to find information in the plans and within flood plan explorer.

Responses received will now be analysed further to identify actions to take as result of the consultation and implement any changes needed in the FRMPs and to the associated Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).

We are also producing the Habitats Regulations Assessment and the SEA Statement of Environmental Particulars. We will publish the final FRMPs and accompanying materials in the autumn of 2022.