Environment Agency proposals increase flooding risks to Trent Valley villages

 

The Environment Agency has submitted planning applications for the Nottingham Trent Left Bank Flood Alleviation Scheme.  This scheme is good news for residents from Sawley to Colwick because homes and businesses will be provided with additional flood protection.  But it is very bad news for the downstream villages between Stoke Bardolph and Bleasby where flooding risks will be increased.

The extra flood risk will affect 580 properties of which 39 would be put at risk of flooding for the first time in 1:100 floods.  A levy protection is being provided for the 97 homes at risk in Barton in Fabis but no protection is being provided for villages downstream of Colwick.

The following communities are at risk.  The list shows first the number of houses at existing risk and secondly the number at risk after the scheme.

Stoke Bardolph 9/11: Burton Joyce and Bulcote 135/153; Gunthorpe 137/142; Hoveringham 104/111; Bleasby 53/60; Caythorpe 0/0 but houses would be cut off during flood; Holme Pierrepont 6/6.

Planning applications for the work have been submitted to Erewash and Broxtowe.  Planning application references: Erewash  - ERE/0407/0025:  Broxtowe – 07/00287/FUL.

Nottingham and Gedling are not asking the EA to seek planning permission for work in their areas.

So, if the 483 residents who are going to be on the receiving end of increased flooding risks wish to object to the proposals, they must make their objections to Erewash and Broxtowe.  We understand that public notices about the planning applications are imminent so residents will have to act quickly to make their objections as there will only be 21 days to make an objection to the planning application from the date of publication.  It is very confusing that the Environmental Statement, which is part of the planning applications, is open for consultation until 6 July – whereas the closing date for objections to the planning applications could be as early as mid/late May.

More than a year ago Environment Agency officers attended a meeting in Burton Joyce where an undertaking was given that mitigation for additional flooding risk as a result of the FAS would be provided.  But now the planning applications offer only future surveys and appraisals in various villages.

The EA has many questions to answer.

·          Why are there no proposals for mitigating the flood risks to downstream communities in the planning application?

·          Why did they not consult with or notify the downstream parish councils or community organisations that, as they know, have long been concerned about the impact of the FAS about the planning application?

·          Why have they not notified the 493 individual householders whose houses will suffer additional flooding risk as a result of these proposals about the planning application?

There is such concern over these proposals and the potential impact on the downstream villages that a meeting has been arranged by Cllr O’Riordan, supported by Cllr Stewart, where the Environment Agency will have the opportunity to explain what progress has been made towards developing flood relief for the downstream villages.  It is hoped that officials from Erewash, Broxtowe and Gedling will also be present to explain the planning application process and to learn about the local situation and our concerns.

Meeting date:  Wednesday 16^th May at 7.30 p.m. Burton Joyce Village Hall