A Powys Councillor has criticised plans for flood defence interventions along the Severn in Powys, labelling the options “not acceptable”.

In response to news that the Environment Agency in England was considering a range of flood defence interventions for the Severn in a bid to reduce the impact of flooding down-river, Plaid Cymru Cllr Elwyn Vaughan raised concerns with the initiative.

Specifically, Cllr Vaughan took issue with a suggestion that man-made dams be used to retain water higher up the Severn's catchment areas, with the idea being that such a development would reduce flood surges down-stream.

The Powys councillor argued that any option involving the “drowning” of Welsh valleys should be ruled out of any scheme to reduce flooding along the River Severn.

Regarding the option, Cllr Vaughan said: “Building new damns and drowning Welsh valleys yet again is not on and is not acceptable and has to be clearly understood from the beginning.

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“Let's be clear, we've been here before with similar narrative. We've seen threats in the past to Llawryglyn, Dolanog, Dyffryn Ceiriog in 1923 and Cwm Twrch and more.

Yes, help control water flow, yes have good management, and yes to stop building hundreds of houses in Shropshire and Herefordshire on floodplains. But drowning our valleys is not acceptable and has to be ruled out.”

The Environment Agency says the scheme is being developed in response to significant flooding of the River Severn in recent decades which has damaged homes and businesses, impacted local infrastructure and disrupted travel.

The agency has also launched a consultation over their long-term plans, which will give residents in Shropshire and north Powys a chance to comment on the proposals.

The consultation is being run by the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme(SVWMS), which is led by a partnership of the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, Shropshire Council and Powys County Council.

David McKnight, Flood and Coastal Risk Manager at the Environment Agency said: “Delivering the SVWMS is a long-term solution to sustainable water management, and we are right at the beginning of a complex journey to achieve our vision.

“We want to hear from all areas of the Severn community as we embark on the transformation programme that the catchment needs to be able to adapt to our changing climate and continue to thrive.”

The consultation is available to view on the Environment Agency website, and runs until May 21.