A permanent flood defence proposal has moved a step closer this week after landowners gave their outline consent to an Environment Agency-designed scheme for Severn Stoke. West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has been leading discussions with the local landowners to secure agreement for a scheme to protect homes and businesses in the village. Together with representatives from the Environment Agency, a proposal has been discussed which could be constructed across privately-owned land near to the river Severn. After serious flooding last year, Harriett agreed to mediate with local landowners to attempt to secure permission to construct bunding which could protect both the local properties, but also the vital A38 road which connects Worcester to the M5 and M50. Harriett said: “Discussions have been extremely complex and I am grateful for the work put in by the Environment Agency to work with me to try and find a scheme that could be approved by all the local landowners. “There is still some final discussion before we agree a formal, final plan but I am confident that we are on the right track and have everyone signed up to the concept of permanent protection for Severn Stoke. “There is still some way to go before this plan can become a reality and we have to find a great deal of public and private funding. “However I am glad that the first important task has now been completed and all the local land-owners have agreed to consider our proposal.”