Significant areas of Lewes District are at risk from flooding by "main rivers" (the Sussex Ouse and its principal tributaries) and from inundation by the sea. The areas at risk are shown in the Environment Agency's indicative flood plain maps which can be seen on the Agency's web site links). Flood defences on the main rivers, and at Seaford Beach, are the responsibility of the Environment Agency. The District Council is responsible for "non-main" rivers. Only one non-main river has been identified as being "critical", that is having the potential to flood significant numbers of people and property. This is the Winterbourne Stream, immediately above Bell Lane, Lewes. Here, an annual maintenance programme to reduce flood risk has been put in place by the District Council.
The District Council's policy on flood and coast defence was approved on 24 March 2004. See the relevant documents section of this page to view the policy document.
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