Agency faces legal threat over lack of public consultation

20 June 2009

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has warned the Environment Agency (EA) that High Court action will be started if it fails to implement public consultation over proposed cuts in flood defence maintenance, which the authority believes could have a devastating effect on the area.

The council is unhappy at what it sees as the EA pushing ahead with plans before a full public consultation. Its proposals were due to be considered next month by Yorkshire’s flood defence committee, but the council managed to get that item deferred until proper consultation has been carried out.

The council’s chief executive, Nigel Pearson, said: ‘We have asked the agency to give us details of how the consultation will be carried out – and when.’

Pearson said the authority could not rule out going to the High Court to resolve the issue.

Toby Willison, Yorkshire and North East regional director for the EA, said: ‘It is important to note that no decisions have been made to change the considerable investment we make in east Yorkshire. We want to work with local authorities and communities to agree a long-term plan for dealing with future challenges.’

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