THE Environment Agency is to invest approximately 70m in a new flood defence scheme for the Gwent levels.

The 25km stretch from Newport to Chepstow along the coastline is already prone to flooding. But climate change predictions for the next ten years say the area could be devastated by rising sea levels.

The EA are beginning a two-year feasibility study into the best way to protect the Gwent levels, which are renowned for their wildlife.

The study will look at the levels and split them into areas of high priority and low priority.

High priority areas are sections that contain homes or property and low priority land is designated farmland.

Tim England, area flood risk manager for South East Wales, says the plan is to protect the whole of the Gwent levels, but concentrate on areas where lives and homes are at risk.

Mr England said the defences would take the form of wall defences, earth embankments and wave return walls to help push back high tides.

"At the moment we are looking at the area and hope to come up with a Severn estuary strategy in the next two years. Then we will know what form the defences will take."

Monmouth MP David Davies has hit back at the EA, saying government funding cuts to the agency are the reason why the whole of the Gwent levels are not deemed a high priority.

"In this period of rocketing food prices, prime agricultural land along the Gwent levels should be as important to protect as people and their homes."

The EA deny any funding cuts have led to their approach at tackling the flood defence proposals for the Gwent levels.

Initial plans outlined in 2001 considered flood defences along the levels as a whole, but since then the issue of climate change has become more of a concern, forcing the agency to rethink their approach.

Evacuees welcome for plan RESIDENTS who were evacuated in March due to flooding fears have welcomed proposals for improved defences.

Avril Howard, Emmanuel Dacruz and Harry Rothen were among those evacuated from the Lighthouse Park Estate in St Brides earlier this year.

Mrs Howard said she was impressed with the way the situation was handled in March.

She said: "When we came back, we were talking to our neighbours and we couldn't fault the service that was given. When it happened, it was a very high tide and very bad weather, but the water didn't come over the top of the bank. If they are going to improve on that again, it's a good thing."

Mr Rothen, 81, agreed the way the situation was handled last time relieved his fears, but also that any improvements would be a good idea.

He said: "I've seen the water when it comes up to the bank and it's just about coming over the top in some places."

Farm land at risk FOOD production in Gwent could suffer if the Environment Agency allows agricultural land to flood.

Len Attewell, whose farm lies beside the sea defences in Undy, said if crop land is flooded for any length of time, the salt in the sea water would render the land useless for crop growing.

Mr Attewell, who is a member of the Gwent Levels Flood Defence Alliance, said: "This image is changing on food production and this country has to produce more food on its own. Once these levels have been allowed to flood, any crops that are there will be flattened.

"Any major flooding over a period of time means the farm land will be infiltrated with salt, which means they will not be able to grow anything. The Environment Agency seems to think that is of little consequence."

He said the main concern is that up to 1,000 homes are at risk. Although an early warning system is in place, Mr Attewell said, many people did not evacuate last time it was used.

Mr Attewell said: "The majority of people didn't leave their homes because they didn't believe it. The more times that happens and there are no floods, the less people will believe it."

Stella Owen, south east Wales policy advisor for NFU Cymru, said: "We are aware of the situation and we are currently monitoring Environment Agency maps of proposed flood defences with a view to protecting our members' interests."