Powys Cabinet unanimously backs next steps for Severn Valley Water Management Scheme

19 November 2025

Powys County Council's Cabinet has given its full support to the next major phase of the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme (SVWMS) - the £10m pioneering project to tackle flooding, water shortages, and land pressures across the upper Severn catchment.

Recent SVWMS modelling shows that, during periods of extreme wet weather, the region may need to manage over 100 million cubic metres of flood water, which is enough to supply the daily needs of half a million people for nearly four years.

Independent analysis commissioned by the SVWMS also suggests that a single major flood event in the upper Severn catchment could result in significant risk to infrastructure, businesses, and the local community, with socio-economic damages estimated between £111 million and £125 million if it occurred next year, rising to as much as £231 million by 2050 as climate risks intensify.

Powys County Council Leader Jake Berriman told Cabinet: "This is a sector leading partnership approach which is being viewed with interest by the whole of the UK."

Councillor Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys, proposed the paper and said: "Water does not respect borders. This starts in Powys and we have to do this. This project is about resilience and will have an economic benefit as well as the nature and environmental benefits.

"The SVWMS offers a chance to reduce flood risk, boost farming, improve water supply, and create new opportunities for biodiversity gain, recreation, and local business."

Councillor Charlton added: "This is a real opportunity for Powys and Shropshire to work together and make a difference for our communities."

At its meeting on 18 November, the Cabinet unanimously agreed to:

• Confirm the Council's commitment as a key partner on the SVWMS Joint Project Board, ensuring local communities in Powys and Shropshire benefit fully from the scheme.
• Approve a new round of public and stakeholder consultation, inviting residents, landowners, businesses, and local organisations to have their say on the emerging plans.
• Authorise officers to progress the scheme, working closely with partners through the Marches Forward Partnership to maintain strong cross-border collaboration.

About the SVWMS: The SVWMS is a cross-border initiative led by the Environment Agency, in partnership with Natural Resources Wales, Powys County Council, and Shropshire Council, and funded by Defra. Its aim is to develop a holistic water management strategy for the upper Severn, which could serve as a model for similar projects nationwide.