Opportunity for people to learn about emerging plan for water management at county drop-ins

Jake Berriman, leader of Powys County Council, left, discussing the emerging plan with David McKnight of the SVWMS at Bettws Village Hall

The Severn Valley Water Management Scheme (SVWMS) is hosting a community drop-in session on its emerging plan in Shrewsbury on Tuesday January 20.

The event, being held in the Haydn Smith Room at Theatre Severn,  is the fourth of nine sessions being held throughout January and February.

This week the SVWMS team was pleased to welcome scores of people at our recent drop-in sessions in Powys to learn more about the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme’s emerging plan.

Our team were delighted to meet so many people who were curious to find out more about the project and to share their own ideas, suggestions and experiences.

Tom Dainty, Shropshire Council Deputy Cabinet member with responsibility for flooding, said:-

“I understand there was a good cross section of the Powys community represented at the sessions held in Bettws and Welshpool and that there has been generally positive feedback.

“I truly believe this is a landmark moment for our county and for Powys. This is the first time there has been activity at this scale to look at how we can best manage water in the Upper Severn, the benefits it will bring to our economy and the added resilience for our communities and nature. It is a very exciting prospect.

“The SVWMS emerging plan sets out a balanced approach, bringing nature‑based solutions together with targeted engineering, to better manage water, reduce risk to homes and livelihoods, and create confidence for businesses to invest.

“It sits central to the developing green capital strategy, being championed through the Marches Forward Partnership, and which is about unlocking funding into the Marches so that environmental improvement, farm viability and economic growth reinforce one another.”

He added: –

“We are committed to working alongside farmers and landowners to develop solutions that are practical, sensitive to local needs, and deliver real benefits for the whole community.

“I would really urge people to attend the community information sessions if they can, and to look at the emerging plan online too.”

After Tuesday’s session five more information events are planned. At each event, the SVWMS team provides opportunities for attendees to learn about the latest data and proposals, ask questions, and share their views. Feedback gathered during these sessions will directly inform the development of the draft strategy, which will be subject to further consultation later in 2026.

The sessions are:

• 20 January 2026 – Shrewsbury
  Shrewsbury Theatre Severn, Frankwell, Shrewsbury SY3 8FT
• 28 January 2026 – Caersws
  Presbyterian Church, Main St, Caersws, SY17 5EN
• 30 January 2026 – Minsterley
  Minsterley Parish Hall, Shrewsbury SY5 0EH
• 4 February 2026 – Oswestry
  Oswestry Cricket Club, Morda Rd, Oswestry SY11 2AY
• 9 February 2026 – Llanfyllin
  Llanfyllin Library Youth & Community Centre, Council Buildings, Llanfyllin, SY22 5DB
• 12 February 2026 – Llanidloes
  Hanging Gardens Project, Bethel Street, Llanidloes, SY18 6BS

Each session runs from 2pm to 7pm. All are welcome to attend, share their perspectives, and help shape the future of water management in the Severn Valley.

Consultation materials are available both at events and online, as well as in local libraries and leisure centres in Powys and Shropshire. All interested parties are encouraged to participate, ensuring that the final strategy reflects the needs and priorities of the community.

For more information, including consultation materials and feedback forms, visit: www.severnvalleywatermanagementscheme.commonplace.is

Enquiries can be directed to: SVWMS@environment-agency.gov.uk

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.