We fully agree that the Core Strategy must be underpinned by a robust evidence base.

The Environment Agency's position on the NSC's Level 1 and Level 2 SFRA is as follows:

Level 1 - Approved
Level 2 - The Agency does not support the current Level 2 SFRA.

Further work is required for the Level 2 SFRA to become acceptable to the EA:

Completion of the Weston super Mare (WSM) (Area 6) Study currently being undertaken by Royal Haskoning is required to be completed.
NSC must confirm the approach for Clevedon to Portishead (Area 1). If any development is proposed other than infill, a Level 2 SFRA needs to be undertaken.
South West Bristol Urban Extension (SWUE) (Area 2) will require a developer led study to inform the SFRA if the proposal goes ahead.

Areas approved:

Areas 3, 4 and 5 will only be infill development at present.