Water and marine

The RTPI believes that comprehensive and integrated planning for the water and marine environment is vital for the spatial planning system as a whole to function.

Latest news

• Water sensitive urban design in the UK, published by CIRIA and supported by the RTPI gives innovative ideas for how to better integrate water in the design of places, at a range of spatial scales.
• National coastal erosion risk mapping for England and Wales suggests that £21 billion capital value assets are at risk from coastal erosion over the next 100 years.
• Investment in flood defences - more than 64,000 more homes will be better protected from the devastating effects of flooding after 93 new flood defences were given the green light to start construction this year.
• MMO have published the first in a series of marine evidence and information reports, it includes social and economic data on marine industries and coastal communities, and ways to apply them to decision-making.

• Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has announced the coast and seas from Dover to the River Dart in Devon will be the second area in England to benefit from marine planning. A guide on how to get involved will be published before plan-making starts.

Policy changes and consultations

• Marine Conservation Zones: Consultation on proposals for designation in 2013. Respond to Defra by 31 March.
• View all open consultations or email Policy Team.

Practice

• CIRIA is developing a project to demonstrate approaches to manage extreme rainfall or drainage exceedance by using highways and/or temporarily managing rainfall in developments through the use of car parks, play areas etc and is looking for examples.
• Susdrain Case Studies demonstrate good practice, or occasionally valuable lessons learnt.
• Signposting to more water and marine practice advice.

RTPI projects and research

• ESaTDOR, European Seas and Territorial Development, Opportunities and Risks - will develop indicators on coastal areas and their development opportunities and economic situation, along with maps presenting data. Planning Research and Climate Change - gives details on latest research and RTPI partners.

Our viewpoint

For many years, the RTPI has been concerned about the increasing regularity of incidents of flooding and coastal erosion. As such we welcomed the recommendations made in the 2008, Pitt Review and the introduction of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. We recognise that more thought needs to be given to the process by which marine, coastal and terrestrial plans are integrated. This can only be achieved through partnership working between the Marine Management Organisation and others, including local authorities and establishing a marine/terrestrial planning framework that incorporates all types of plans. We remain strongly committed to the development of a marine spatial planning system for the UK.

More information/events/CPD

• Marine Planning, 25 April, King's Lynn. View our events calendar for upcoming RTPI events.
• Get involved. Email practice@rtpi.org.uk.