Flooding fears remain over new homes plan
A CONTROVERSIAL housing development has moved a step closer, but developers still need to fully satisfy planning chiefs’ fears over flooding three years after it was approved.
Tuesday night’s Rossendale council development control committee heard fears from Higher Cloughfold residents over Hurstwood
Holdings’ reserved matters application for 30 homes to the north of Johnny Barn Close - a ‘high flood risk’ area. Fifty-three objections had been received.
The applicant was seeking permission on details relating to layout, landscaping, appearance, scale and access for the scheme, a mix of three, four and five-bedroom houses.
However, the meeting struggled during protracted discussions lasting well over an hour over suggestions that a pivotal planning condition could be shifted from ‘pre-build’ to ‘pre-occupation’. Specifically, it focused on finalising a maintenance and management plan for the scheme’s ‘swale’ drainage system.
A spokesman for residents urged planning members to ensure the so-called ‘condition 17’ was applied fully before development work starts, and that a plan was in place to ensure drainage meets standards set by the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA).
He said: “The drainage system is, we are told, state-of-the-art. That means absolutely nothing if the system is not rigorously maintained throughout its life. If not it will fail, with both existing and future residents suffering its consequences. This cannot be left to chance, nor can we be left as hostages to fortune.”
Coun Christine Gill, speaking from the floor, said: “Johnny Barn Close is in a high flood risk area as identified by Lancashire County Council and United Utilities. I have visited the residents on many occasions who witnessed the flooding and devastation. Living with fear of flooding is terrible. It’s our duty as councillors to hear the concerns of residents.”
Coun Patrick Marriott, one of many members to call for a deferral during the debate, said the swale feature must be maintained by hand over a distance of 150 metres “from day one”.
Arguing that the matter should be resolved before building commences, he said: “It risks constructing something that literally cannot be maintained.”
However, addressing both this and the maintenance of the swale feature, Michael Gilbert, of agents Stantec, said: “I most respectfully disagree that this [condition] needs to happen now. The LLFA have no issue with that taking place prior to occupation. There’s really no need whatsoever for this application to be deferred. The officer report provides a very clear recommendation and we would like to fully endorse that.”
He advised that the maintenance of the system would be funded by standard service charges on residents of the scheme via a management company. Officers had recommended the application for reserved matters approval subject to additional conditions.
Planning officer Lauren Ashworth said: “From an officer point of view, it isn’t necessary to defer the application.”
The application was approved by five votes to three, subject to the discharge of condition 17 being approved being delegated to the chair of planning and an opposition spokesperson.