Over 120 people attended the Partnership’s 12th annual Severn Estuary Forum this year for a day of discussion and debate on all things Severn Estuary. The event was intended for all those who are interested in learning about the latest research and policy developments involving the Severn Estuary and its future. Feedback from the event has been fantastic and we will be publishing a conference report here soon.
The programme for this year’s Forum covered three themes: Planning, Governance & Flood Risk, Energy & Climate Change and Protected Sites & Species. Opening remarks and a welcome to Bridgwater was provided by the High Sheriff of Somerset, Mr Richard Hickmet Esq.
To view the presentations, please use the links below.
Energy & Climate Change
Chaired by Councillor Anne Fraser MBE, Sedgemoor District Council
- Ross Edwards, EDF Energy – Hinkley Point C – Impacts and Challenges of Working Alongside the Estuary
- Dr Judith Wolf, NOC – Extreme Weather, Sea Level Change, Tides and Waves in the Bristol Channel
Planning, Governance & Flood Risk
Chaired by Clare Taylor, RTPI Cymru Policy & Research Forum
- Andy Hohl, Environment Agency – Flood Risk and the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier
- Patrick Cowdy, Welsh Government – Marine Planning in the Severn Estuary, Welsh National Marine Plan
- Neal Gray, Marine Management Organisation – Marine Planning in the Severn Estuary, South West Marine Plan
- David Martin & Lucy George, Wessex Water – Bathing Water Quality Improvements and Investments
- Charlotte Billingham, SimCELT Project – Cross-border marine planning, lessons from the Celtic Seas
Protected Sites & Species
Chaired by Rob Shore, WWT & Severn Vision
- Alys Laver, WWT – Steart Marsh, 3 years on, Climate Change Flood Risk and Community Action
- Gemma Bode, Gwent Wildlife Trust – The Living Levels Landscape Partnership
- Richard Brunning, South West Heritage Trust – Archaeology & Heritage of the Severn Estuary
- Steve Mewes, Somerset Wildlife Trust – Somerset Wildlife Trust, The Coastal Future
The Year Ahead
This year we were delighted to be sponsored by The British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA), Cardiff University, Wessex Water and Bridgwater & Taunton College.
The event was also supported and promoted by CIWEM (The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management), RTPI Cyrmu and South West (The Royal Town Planning Institute) and ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers).
The Partnership would like to thank this year’s speakers, session chairs, sponsors and supporters as well as delegates that attended. We hope you found the event interesting and engaging and we look forward to welcoming you to next year’s Forum!
The Severn Estuary Partnership Team
