Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of increased riparian ownership on the recent flooding in West Dorset constituency.

We are not aware of an increase or change in riparian ownership within West Dorset. The riparian rights and responsibilities, including duties to maintain watercourses, will remain unchanged even if there is a change in landownership.

The recent flooding was caused by meteorological and hydrological factors rather than land ownership. The primary causes were exceptionally high rainfall, 55mm in 24 hours in Storm Chandra, and saturated ground conditions as January was the second wettest since 1871. These conditions led to watercourses exceeding capacity and local drainage systems becoming overwhelmed, as well as rapidly rising and prolonged high groundwater levels.

The Environment Agency continues to work with Dorset Council, landowners and local communities to ensure responsibilities are understood and that watercourses are maintained appropriately. This collaborative approach supports long-term resilience and helps reduce flood risk across rural communities in West Dorset.