Further Resources: Flood Plan Meeting 26 March 2025

Flood Plan Initial Meeting – Notes

Wednesday 26 March 6.30 at the Avon Inn, Avonwick

Advertised as follows:

Recent poor weather has led to requests for better flood planning in the parish and the Parish Council would like your help to draw up a new Flood Plan for the whole parish to guide responses to future flooding problems related to both the river and surface water.

If you have experienced flooding in the parish or you feel your property is at risk or you just want to help your fellow parishioners come along to the pub for an initial meeting to see if there is support for a new Flood Group and Flood Plan for Avonwick and North Huish.

Present – 8 persons

Identifying areas at risk

Identify the areas and properties at risk and potential impact. Specifically identify any vulnerable residents at risk.

Avongrove (between pub and river). Has flooded when river burst banks (2001/2006). Also 2013. Issue with water from the ‘reservoir’ on the Totnes road running down to the house. Also sewerage when drains are backed up. Isn’t the only house with this problem. Drains need clearing and are in the wrong places.
Church Cottage. Has low windows. Last two Christmas’ flood water two inches from windows. This is water coming down the main road from the Ugborough direction largely due to blocked drains esp those in the laybys further up the main road. Also the drain by the cottage needs clearing regularly.
Weeks Cottage has flooded in the past. Due to water coming down the hill?
River Avon now regularly spills over onto the roads at Butterford Mill Gate and surrounding area. Concern for Butterford? Hepburn?
Hothole Cottages a concern?
How far is the fact that the attenuation pond for the new houses doesn’t work adding to problems?
This is not a complete list and should be added to as more information is received

Preventative measures

What can be done BEFORE an incident?

Look at what has been successful in the past
Workshops/leaflets etc to raise awareness and give practical advice re taking measures to protect homes and what to do during a flood (checklists available on GOV.UK etc)
Applying for funding as appropriate
Ensuring green spaces/drainage etc maintained
Ensuring new construction is flood resistant
Sign up to Environment Agency alerts /Flood warnings etc
Create team of Flood Wardens? Establish roles/access to equipment required etc. List people willing to support in any capacity.

Actions agreed:

Set up WhatsApp group of people interested in helping
To identify drains causing concern on a map; check they are all priorities for our lengthsman; create a list of problem drains and organise a person to be responsible for keeping one drain clear each. Also ask Clerk to Parish Council to explore funding for drains to be mechanically cleared more often maybe using private contractors if South Hams not able to do more.
Further pursue the problems with the attenuation pond. Residents concerned regarding the noise and expense of the tankers emptying day and night.
Create an A4 leaflet with simple ‘How to prepare for flooding’ information and distribute to all houses in the parish
Explore funding for sandbags. Amazon inflatable sandbags? £150 for 20 or £23.99 for 2x 150cm approx. Different lengths available.

Reactive measures

What can be done DURING and AFTER an incident?

Ensuring residents have access to Emergency numbers/Flood Warden numbers as appropriate. Agree how residents/Flood Wardens communicate during an incident
Triggers agreed for Flood Plan to kick in during an incident and Flood Wardens to adopt agreed roles to support residents
Ensuring residents whose properties are affected have relevant information and support

Actions agreed:

Largely emergency services to deal with but this can partially be covered on the A4 leaflet

Future action

Agree actions required before and date of next meeting for those interested in progressing the plans

As above. WhatsApp group is established and Flood Planning is on Parish Council agenda. Need to let residents know the planning so far and date of next meeting.

Next meeting

Wednesday 4 June, 6.30 at the Avon Inn