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The article focuses on the relationship between the planning system and flood risk management in Great Britain. The role of the planning system has been placed under the media and political spotlight in recent years, as a result of a number of serious flooding events which have been well documented for their severity and their scale. Whilst the problem of flooding is high on the political agenda, one should refrain from being over optimistic about the role land-use planning can play in offering a solution. The significant role the planning system must play in future decisions has not escaped the government.

There has been a noticeable silence amongst environmental studies concerning the relationship between agriculture, flooding and pollution. This paper, which emerges from research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and United Utilities, attempts to redress this neglect and stimulate both debate and research in to this important area. Utilising research undertaken in the UK, the contention underlying this paper is that much of current agricultural policy and practice is fostering an environment susceptible to flooding and pollution. The paper highlights a number of issues concerning the ways in which certain agricultural practices exacerbate the risk from both flooding and pollution, drawing linkages with current legislation and policy. Finally, an attempt is made to identify agricultural policies and practices that could help to reduce the incidence of flooding and pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The damage of the recent storms has been well documented, but arguably, the reasons for the level of devastation and possible future solutions have not. This article critically examines both the areas accused of causing, or contributing, to the flooding and the solutions mentioned so far. It then suggests an alternative solution, which could be the answer to our recent problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]