Ward: Credenhill

The Principal Planning Officer presented a report about an application for a new flood alleviation scheme to assist with the Edgar Street Grid development and which was aimed at improving the protection for some 115 homes and businesses in Hereford. The scheme was an essential part of the plans to improve the infrastructure in the city to provide for new leisure attractions, jobs, homes and shops. The aim was to significantly minimise the threat to those areas that were subject to regular flooding, particularly in the vicinity of the A49 at Edgar Street, the A438 at Whitecross Road,  Merton Meadow car part the County Hospital car park, Millbrook Street and Nolan Road. The scheme involved a two-metre diameter underground culvert, following the natural contours of the landscape and would divert water from the Yazor Brook at Credenhill to the River Wye, when water levels reached a pre-determined trigger point. The water would travel through the mile-long culvert before joining the River Wye to the south east of Old Weir Farm and water flow would be digitally monitored.

He reported on the receipt of the following since the report had been prepared:-

ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS

Stretton Sugwas Parish Council raise no objection to the minor amendment to the site area but maintained their objection to the elements of the design south of the A438.  They suggested that the design through the dingle should be a more natural solution with flows baffled with boulders and new tree planting including boulders on the River Wye embankment.

They commented that this would be cheaper, less engineered and more natural solution that will cause less disruption to farming operations during construction and reduce HGV movements on the A438.

Councillor RI Matthews, the Local Ward Member, had some concerns about access and egress to the site; the impact of the scheme on The Weir and Weir Farm and how effective the scheme would actually prove to be in alleviating flooding. He also asked about the potential dangers of contamination to the water course from the adjoining land.  He also referred to the concerns raised by Stretton Sugwas Parish Council and suggestion that the scheme was over-engineered and that there were cheaper and more practical options available.  Councillor GFM Dawe suggested that there was a need to re-visit the scheme in view of the comments and concerns that had been received.  Councillors H Davies and JD Woodward noted the benefits that would be offered by the scheme but had reservations that flooding could be increased at Greyfriars, Wye Terrace and other areas.

The Principal Planning Officer outlined the considerable research that had been undertaken by the applicants who had evaluated various alternatives and studied the impact in numerous locations.  Extensive research had been undertaken into historical water flows and depths, and several worst case scenarios had been analysed using computer modelling.  It was anticipated that the scheme would change the high flood-risk areas from a one in twenty year risk to one in a hundred year or one in a thousand year risk rating. He described the benefits that would be provided in reducing flooding along the course of the Yazor Brook in the City and the monitoring and remedial work that would be provided for, should there prove to be any contamination of sediments deposited by the outfall.  Because of the route that the pipe would follow and the landscaping near the outfall, there would be minimal effect on the historic buildings and landscape.  The alternative solution suggested by the Parish council had been considered but was discounted due to adverse ground conditions and lack of ground stability which would have necessitated the requirement for significant engineering works. 

Having considered the different aspects of the scheme, the Committee noted the overall benefits and improvements that it would bring and decided that it should be approved, subject to no objections being received from the Environment Agency.

RESOLVED THAT:

the Environmental Statement and associated documents including the consultation and other responses received on the Environmental Statement and the associated documents have been taken into account in making this decision:

Subject to no further objections raising additional material planning considerations by the end of the consultation period, the officers named in the scheme of delegation to officers be authorised to approve the application subject to the following conditions and any further conditions considered necessary by officers:

INFORMATIVES: