Glastonbury’s climate plan targets flooding

Somerset’s first Climate Adaptation Plan has been produced in Glastonbury, to help that historic town prepare for a new age of flooding, heatwaves and drought.

The Plan is the result of months of collaboration between Somerset Wildlife Trust, Glastonbury Town Council and many knowledgeable and enthusiastic residents, business owners and other organisations.

An ‘Adaptation Blitz’ is being organised for next year by Somerset Wildlife Trust, to implement as many of the Plan’s recommended actions as possible.

The development of the Plan has been funded by Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA), as part of its Adaptations and Associations project.

SRA Chair Councillor Mike Stanton commented: “Across Somerset floods have been increasing in intensity and unpredictability because of climate change.

“Hence why one of the new objectives in the SRA Strategy 2024-34 is to ‘increase the resilience of people, places and the environment to flooding, while adapting to climate change’.

“So the SRA has been helping people in Glastonbury to work together on local ideas for achieving that objective with this new Climate Adaptation Plan.

“It’s a fascinating piece of work.

“It covers many parts of the town, right down to individual ponds, bus shelters and toilet blocks.

“If you’ve been not involved so far, please do get involved now!”

Worked up through a process known as Act to Adapt, the Plan has four key themes and priority adaptation actions:

  1. Planting more trees and plants
  2. Adapting to flooding
  3. Installing green walls and roofs
  4. Engaging with local planning

Natalie Barnett, the SRA-funded Climate Adaptation Officer at Somerset Wildlife Trust, said: “Due to its long coast and large areas of low-lying land, Somerset is unfortunately one of the UK’s most climate-vulnerable areas, and it’s facing risks including sea-level rise, river flooding, and drought.

Thinking about the future in Glastonbury.

“This process has been all about working with communities — we’ve built plans around local concerns and ideas, which naturally leads to stronger communities, increased biodiversity, and improved wellbeing. It has been such a pleasure to have been involved in this project so far.”

Somerset Wildlife Trust is also currently working on Act to Adapt initiatives in:

  • Burnham-on-Sea & Highbridge
  • Minehead
  • The Polden Hills
  • Wells
  • Martock

The Polden Hills work is also funded by the SRA.

You can download a copy of the Climate Adaptation Plan for Glastonbury and learn more about Act to Adapt by visiting the Somerset Wildlife Trust website: www.somersetwildlife.org/act-to-adapt

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