There are some stunning parts of the Eastleigh constituency and I enjoyed my 'walk n' talk' with the Environment Agency on River Itchen.
We talked about a number of important local concerns including environmental protection, water quality and flooding.
Flooding remains a key area of concern for me with the excessive development taking place in our area. The very real risk posed has been evidenced by the recent floods that have effected Allington Lane, Botley Mills and parts of Fair Oak. The Environment Agency are drawing up further plans to look at how we can do more to protect communities at risk of flooding. I continue to be very nervous about the effects of large scale development on flooding. Over 2,500 houses are being built by Eastleigh Borough Council at One Horton Heath that links to Allington Lane. This area already floods as we know and it is essential that Eastleigh Borough Council, who are acting as a private developer with this application, take their responsibilities on flooding seriously. I've been working with the Environment Agency on several plans to help improve flood mitigation and I hope the Council can take this forward.
