Plans to build a permanent flood protection scheme in Severn Stoke are edging closer following agreement from local landowners, it was confirmed this week. A community-led scheme is under consideration to protect homes and businesses in the flood plain of the river Severn as well as the vital A38 link road. A flood action group has been working with the Environment Agency to develop detailed plans and some surveying work has already been carried out ahead of an outline planning application. Environment Agency experts briefed West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin on the latest progress which will see the community using local contractors and left-over soil from construction sites across the county. Harriett welcomed the progress, which has been made possible after she brokered a deal between with landowners to move towards a permanent scheme. She said: “Severn Stoke presents some major challenges because it is built on a large flood plain and much of the land where a scheme needs to be built is privately-owned. “Having gathered all the parties together to discuss this, I was pleased to see a level of commitment from the land owners and some surveying work has already been carried out. “Further engineering reports are required in the coming months but I hope that the scheme is moving closer to being submitted for outline planning permission – which is great news for all the people who live in the threat of flooding in the village. “I am heartened by the new that the village may be indirectly benefitting from the huge amounts of soil which are being dug up as part of the large housing development across the county. “I welcome the efforts of the community and the Environment Agency and will continue working with all parties to try and deliver this complex flood defence scheme.”