Devon estate considers valley flooding retreat plan

BBC: An east Devon estate may have to make a managed retreat from some land because of future rising water levels, it says. Landowner Clinton Devon Estates said it was considering the action in the Lower Otter Valley after a report examined possible climate change effects.

The report it commissioned said sea level rises, more storm surges and increased rainfall were all expected to increase risks of flooding. The estate said it would discuss changes with other involved parties.

The valley, parts of which are next to the sea, regularly floods. East Devon District Council clears nearby culverts regularly to prevent flooding, but if sea levels did rise in the coming years the estate said it was expected to become more difficult.

One of the estate's stakeholders, Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club, sits on the flood plain. One option as part of a managed retreat may be to move it to higher ground. The club said it was not keen to move unless necessary….

Budleigh Salterton in East Devon, shot by Touriste