13/5/2008
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FEARS have surfaced over the potential risk of flooding from the proposed new £30.5m college redevelopment in Witney (pictured).
The Environment Agency has said it will object to the plans, due to go before district councillors next Monday, unless the college comes up with a better system to deal with run-off rainwater.
The main concern is over a localised flooding problem with surface water and sewers backing up on the corner of High Street and Welch Way.
The Environment Agency now has a greater say on whether and how new developments go ahead following recent floods nationwide. Last summer, Witney was badly hit with a mixture of the River Windrush bursting its banks, and drainage systems unable to cope with surface rainwater. But this week, the college said it was modifying its detailed plans to deal with the issues raised by the Agency.
Steve Billcliffe, college director of development, told the Gazette: "We are still expecting the green light, and hope there is no delay on the timescale we have for the campus."
The campus is part of Abingdon and Witney College. The demolition of old buildings and three-storey redevelopment on the town centre site were rescheduled when the lead construction company, Abingdon-based Leadbitter, said it could complete by summer 2010 - a full year ahead of the original programme.
The revised plans and timescale for Witney's second major new development - running in tandem with Marriotts Close - go before West Oxfordshire District Council's lowlands planning sub-committee on Monday.
The agency's objection is based on surface water run-off rates, which have to take into account a percentage increase for climate change, 'to ensure there is no risk to third-party property'. They are also suggesting a range of 'sustainable drainage system techniques'.
But their bottom line is that unless the college meets their requirements, their objection would involve referring the issue to the Secretary of State for the Environment.
Mr Billcliffe says they have come up with new proposals to limit run-off. They are - underground tanks to store rainwater which will be used for flushing college toilets and in-house laundry; smaller service road, cutting down on Tarmac run-off; new trees to soak up groundwater through their roots. He added: "We are expecting a number of conditions to be attached by the planners, and they will be included in these."
Other issues that have been raised through consultation over the scheme include local car parking through increased student numbers. No provision has been made for student parking on site. The county council transport department also wants assurances for pedestrian safety from construction vehicles because of the service road nearness to the Welch Way health centre, library and magistrates courts.
