Proposed flood alleviation scheme to address historic flooding across the Merton Meadows area of the city.

Application approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation and with a change to conditions.

Councillor Polly Andrews acted as the local ward member for the application below.

The principal planning officer provided a presentation on the application and the updates/representations received following the publication of the agenda.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking Mr Milln, local resident, spoke in objection to the application.

In accordance with the council's constitution the local ward member spoke on the application. In summary, she explained that the proposal had been subject to negotiation with environmental bodies and interested parties. It was part of the development of the Merton Meadow urban village and the proposed works were designed to protect against flooding from Widemarsh Brook and local watercourses. The proposal would improve large areas of scrubland in the locality.

The committee debated the application. The committee was in favour of the application and the following principal points were raised during the debate:

-        the loss of parking locally was a concern and it was hoped that schemes would be put in place to offset the loss of parking places resulting from the application;

-        the flood modelling that had been undertaken contained elements of uncertainty and concerns existed regarding the likely impact of the measures proposed upstream. It was noted that the Wildlife Trust had been developing an area for flood alleviation upstream from the development site and it was questioned how this would be affected by the proposed development;

-        It was noted that the condition relating to the management and maintenance of the landscape was for a period of 10 years, this was not felt to be a sufficient period of time and it was requested that the condition be extended to the maximum period allowable or 30 years;

-        The tensions with core strategy policies HD2 and E4, with relation to the canal restoration, were understood. However it was considered that the attenuation pond proposed close to the site of the canal basin would not be an impediment to the future restoration of the canal.

-        The proposal would create wetland in the centre of Hereford. Schemes and measures needed to be put in place in order to protect the wildlife that would be attracted to the wetlands.

-        Improved connectivity to the proposed wetlands from the transport hub was required for pedestrians to access the ponds.

The development manager provided the following clarification

-        The application was very technical in detail and significant modelling of the flooding had been undertaken. The Environment Agency as the statutory consultee had reviewed the flood risk assessment and the modelling and had no objection. The Wildlife Trust had been involved in discussions regarding the scheme but comments regarding the impact of the scheme on work that the Wildlife Trust was undertaking would be fed back to the project team.

-        The length proposed for the maintenance and management of the site in condition 13 could be extended.

-        The provision of parking would be considered by the project team.

-        The ecological impact of the application would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21