A long-term strategy to protect Tenbury from flooding will be developed as part of the neighbourhood plan, it was confirmed today. The town council is currently consulting on a neighbourhood plan and residents will be asked to back plans for a permanent solution as part of this process. The news came as Tenbury MP Harriett Baldwin hosted a meeting with the Environment Agency and local councillors to discuss progress made towards developing a long-term flood defence strategy. The group agreed that a flood scheme could be built into the plan as well as securing funding for the scheme from potential future housing development. A flood action group is being formed as well and it has already held consultation meetings with local people. The Environment Agency has also agreed to refresh the Tenbury plans. Harriett commented: “The challenges to protect Tenbury are huge, both because of the town’s geography but also the challenges raising the millions of pounds needed to deliver a formal scheme. “However I have always said that it is only a matter of when, not if, the town faces flooding again so I am determined to keep the pressure up to deliver a long-term plan. “It was really useful to get everyone together to share their progress and agree some actions for the coming months. “I have offered the Environment Agency and the local councillors my support as a long-term plan is consulted on and hopefully approved. “It is also encouraging to see a flood action group being formed and I hope as many people as possible will get involved and show their support.” Photo: Harriett Baldwin MP (centre) is briefed on the latest Environment Agency plans with (l-r) EA’s Richard Bentley, councillors Tony Penn and Phil Grove, EA’s Mark Bowers, town clerk Lesley Bruton and councilor Eric Hudson.