Homes on flood-prone land gets go-ahead

08:00 - 05-July-2008

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PLANS to build almost 600 homes on flood-prone land in Longford have been given the go-ahead in a decision slammed as “unbelieveably stupid”.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Hazel Blears yesterday issued her decision confirming that a 570-home development with a primary school and recreational facilities can be built on land to the east of Tewkesbury Road and north of Longford Lane – even though it is included in Tewkesbury Borough Council's green-belt protected area – and was submerged in last summer's floods.

She was commenting on an appeal from developer Robert Hitchins Ltd, which had attempted to overturn Tewkesbury Borough Council's non-determination verdict on its plans for the land.

Her report said: “There is a severe shortfall in housing land supply and this site achieved the joint highest score compared with the other major potential housing sites.

“The material considerations in favour of the proposals outweigh those respects in which they do not accord with the development plan.”

Her decision came just nine days after the Pitt Report into the floods which devastated Gloucestershire and other areas of the country last July.

But Ms Blears said the flooding fears were insufficient to stop the developer's plan.

Her report said: “We have taken into consideration the concerns about the impact on the capacity of the area to absorb and slow the passage of flood water.

“All the proposed development except two playing pitches would be in the zone of least risk and all finished floor levels would be set a minimum of 60cm above the 1 in 100 flood level. The flood risk analysis for the area is 'low'.”

The development will also only be allowed to proceed if an Interim Sustainable Drainage System (SUDS) is installed, to reduce the risk of flooding both on site and in nearby areas.

But the decision has been attacked by community leaders and left residents and campaigners dismayed.

Gloucestershire County Councillor Philip Awford (C., Severn Vale), said: “I think the decision is disgusting.

“It's timing is atrocious, coming almost a year to the day since the floods which submerged this entire area and the SUDS proposed for the site have been confirmed by Severn Trent water as being useless for the clay soil in this area.

“This area has acted as a sponge for rainwater in the past, so now that water will be hitting concrete. It's not just a matter of this land but the areas around it.”

Tewkesbury MP Laurence Robertson said: “It's unbelieveably stupid.

“I submitted photographs to the Inspector showing that at least part of the land floods but these have just been ignored.

“I also told the inspector that this site is not too far away from the Walham sub-station, which everyone knows almost flooded last year,.”

Longford Action Campaign chairman Bren McInerney said: “The main issues we were fighting it on, flooding, green belt land and increased traffic risks, have not been addressed.

“We have shown the flooding risk, which will effect the surrounding roads and leave traffic stranded like it did last summer.

“It is very disappointing. We will be reading and - the report to see if there's anything we can do.”

And Annie Lynham, whose Longford Lane property overlooks the proposed development, said: “It spells bad news for the future of Longford. It will double the size of the village. It will mean we can't get any insurance for our homes because of the increased flooding risk and will see massive amounts more traffic.”

No-one from Robert Hitchens Ltd was available for comment.

32 comments. Last at: 05-Jul-2008 23:16

Yet another decision powered by money rather than sense and by someone who probably wasn't flooded out last year and who has no idea how devastating it is to lose your house, car and possessions in a matter of hours, as everyone else in Cypress Gardens were. Would Hazel 'mad as a mongoose' Blears give permission to build houses on Plock Court playing fields? Her defence was that the land was "low risk" - as was Cypress Gardens coincidentally. If being 4' deep in sewage riddled flood water twice in 4 weeks considered an "insufficient" concern, then clearly nothing has been learnt from the powers that be. Stating SUDS drainage has to be in place is just empty words, conditions were meant to apply to Cypress Gardens and of course never were. Well, when the land does flood, perhaps Ms Blears will personally fund the clear up & visit any residents who actually buy one of these properties. Or maybe she will actually live in one of these houses herself? I think not! Grrrrr

Jemima Puddleduck, now in Hucclecote

commented on 05-Jul-2008 23:16
'All the coments below have been written by people who have little or no idea what it's all about', Lynn Gough, Longford - All the comments below, Lynn?

Let us also not forget that the council probably drove a hard bargain in return for rolling over. Obtaining benefits to the community that they otherwise would have had to pay for, when government funding is tight, and low taxes has become the watchword of both main parties. Ultimately, the legitimate and justified concerns of residents were used as a bargaining chip, and what a bargain. For the council.

But have we not seen in the past few days what politicians are good for?

Joe K, Gloucester

commented on 05-Jul-2008 22:19
the council never object money is there only priority bring back swampy

anon, glos

commented on 05-Jul-2008 22:00
perhaps hitchins give you free boat when you buy house because it will happen again !when cypress gardens got flooded first time they said it was a one off sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

anon, glos

commented on 05-Jul-2008 21:57
Not more poorly built houses prone to be flooded. Northing has been learnt from the experiences of Cypress Gardens residents and the consequences they will always have to face - an unsellable worthless house. Don't invest in one of these houses - you will be marooned (in more ways than one) for ever !

Suzy, Glos

commented on 05-Jul-2008 21:15
This "severe shortfall in housing" Hazel Blears refers to, if real, could be accommodated through use of brown field sites instead of yet more DIY stores and other unnecessary retail outlets. The only act of stupidity greater than this decision will be that of any fool that actually buys one of these flood prone houses.

Chris, Gloucester

commented on 05-Jul-2008 19:57
Are these people stupid? Clearly these fields are there to soak up excess rain when it comes pouring down. And it doesnt even need to be half of what it was last year. Every year these fields are waterlogged several times a year. So where will the water go when the field is full of concrete? Wonder if Hazel Blears lives in a flood plain! As for the developers, Shame on them!

Andy, Westgate

commented on 05-Jul-2008 19:06
Perhaps Robert Hichin should take a day out to Tewkesbury,particularly Bredon Road.Here,despite objections from residents,it was decided to grant planning permission for over 300 homes to be built next to the river.This was before last years awful events and tho most of the homes did not flood,all building work has now ceased.The developers cannot sell them and many houses will not now be built.Mind you,naming the estate Water Meadows probably didnt help!People are not as stupid as these developers would like us to be!!!!!!

Penny, Tewkesbury

commented on 05-Jul-2008 18:29
It is absolutely the developers/council/governments fault.
1, Developers only build if they can sell, if people checked before they bought then they wouldn't buy in areas that flood. Its like blaming tiwan for buying poor quality eletrical goods.
2, The council can only object with sufficient reasons, flooding is not the only issue they need to balance.
3, The government need to encourage new cheaper houses, if you want new cheaper housing, you need to expect it ill not be perfect.
If i were nearby residents I would be talking to the developers to get them to defend me from flooding. Work with them, not against them because you wont win.

Stuart, Gloucester

commented on 05-Jul-2008 18:03
Beggers belief!!
I would try to get the word around for people who may be wanting to move to the area, and the people that may want to purchase the houses,what land their potential house was built on and then hopefully get the word spread enough so that none of the houses will sell. Maybe then silly plans would hopefully not be passed.

sue, Gloucester

commented on 05-Jul-2008 17:03
All the coments below have been written by people who have little or no idea what it's all about, have any of you read the report like I have, if not I suggest you look on Tewkesbury Borough Councils web page.
There you will find that at the end of the day money (and possibly brown envelopes speak). Robert Hitchins had a top barrister to fight there case, what did we residents have in Longford? A borough council that rolled over and go to sleep. They made a "mistake" by taking us out of the Green Belt (that was protecting us to a degree) but they couldn't put us back in thats not possible.
I wonder how those 2 people who took us out of Green Belt are sleeping after there "mistake" very well I expect, they have since moved on to "better" things.
The new houses will be built 600m plus 20% climate change to the rest of us, so the answer is NO they will not flood but what about all of us who will have more water cause of the extra concrete etc these homes will have around them

Lynn Gough, Longford

commented on 05-Jul-2008 16:36
Having lived through a year of living in a cramped caravan and experiencing a huge amount of inconvenience - perhaps it would be a good idea for one of these decision makers to come & experience my life and perhaps they would be gracious enough to say "No" to the decision.

Geoff, Tewkesbury

commented on 05-Jul-2008 14:45
What a joke!
Just another excellent decision by labour

Dan, Cheltenham

commented on 05-Jul-2008 14:41
We are all well aware that the biggest area of corruption goes on in Planning departments of local councils "You scratch my back & I'll scratch yours" remember it's not what you know but who you know & obviously the developer knows the planner well!!!

Tracey, Cheltenham

commented on 05-Jul-2008 13:45
It's not just Zimbabwe that has corrupt officials running their country.
Money rules everything in this world.
Humanity comes a poor second to the money grabbers.

Dave Tuffley, Tuffley Glos

commented on 05-Jul-2008 13:04
Totally crazy decision and shows that Builders don't care about the people who live in their developments.

I suggest when building starts posters are displayed showing what the area was like last year. Hazel Blears should hang her head in shame. Also everyone in Gloucestershire should write to Robert Hichins and complain. The good thing is with the credit crunch there will be a delay before building starts.

Keith, Gloucester

commented on 05-Jul-2008 13:02
get the sand bags out ready then!

valerie, stroud

commented on 05-Jul-2008 12:37
Vote Labour

Big Dave, Cheltenham

commented on 05-Jul-2008 12:26
This is absurd, i cannot believe it. Last year we went without water for weeks and I was severely affected. Despite living in a 2nd floor apartment!! How are they going to cope on a known flood-plain, which is flooded most of the time i have driven past? Honestly, do these people who approve such developments take "common sense" into account when writing their detailled and proposterous reports?

Daniel, Gloucester

commented on 05-Jul-2008 12:25
I just can't believe what I have read. Perhaps they should try coping after having a property flooded and the aftermath of it all. It has really affected my family and I just can't believe how people's mind's work.

Jo, Gloucester

commented on 05-Jul-2008 12:14
This building of houses on a flood plain at Tewkesbury is total madness and must bring into question planning authority competince ,but in Devon in Newton Abbot the local authority Teignbridge Disrict Council went one further and are now embarked on building a hospital on a flood plain on the outskirts of Newton Abbot costing £80 million to be completed the end of 2008 the front mezine floor is less than 6 feet above existing levels

Mike Crees, newton abbot

commented on 05-Jul-2008 12:07
they will never sell them look at cypress gardens should never been built,if i had one those houses i would hand the keys to local council and ask for my money back building on flood plains !!!!!!!!!

anon, glos

commented on 05-Jul-2008 12:03
Even if the properties are raised up so don't get floodwater ingress into the living area would you want your garden flodded and covered in mud every few years and your nice car wrecked? Even if the inside of your house was dry would you want to live in it if you had to have waders to get off the property and walk to the nearest dry road? I think not.

Simply raising the buildings themeslves does not really solve the prolem.

As for the increased risk to surrounding proerties I will not even go there.

Anon, Glos

commented on 05-Jul-2008 11:40
It amazes me that builders are even contemplating building in such well known flood zones. They are having a hard enough time selling "safe" houses, do they really think anyone from outside the county would knowingly buy such a flood prone house. Also by not informing prospective buyers that last year the plot their house is built on was under 5 foot water are they commiting fraud?

Ian, Cheltenham

commented on 05-Jul-2008 11:23
ASNS, has an excellent point.. So long as new homes built on flood prone ground are set on raised footings- say 10ft off the ground, there is then arguably little or no risk at all of flood damage to a property. The problem to date is that builders have always opted to construct the entry to properties in these areas at ground level. It is utterly obvious to anyone- build the rooms to the house and it's entry point well off the ground. Thus said, we do need more homes.

Hessen Von Lietner, oxford.

commented on 05-Jul-2008 11:02
It beggars belief !

How can this government continue
to ignore the public's outcry and fail to see what a disaster building these houses would be ?
I've got friends who are still approx 18 months away from returning to their house after last years floods .

sandra pember, longlevens

commented on 05-Jul-2008 10:47
So will the HIPs for these properties indicate that they are in a medium flood risk area?

Will the banks give mortgages (given the current situation) on such high risk properties?
Will Insurance companies even insure them?

Maybe Ms Blears will come and visit these houses when they flood and admit that she is an idiot who frankly has no clue. Then she can volunteer to help wash the raw sewage away and live in a caravan for a year.

Anon, Cheltenham

commented on 05-Jul-2008 10:28
What are they thinking?! Do they want even more homeless people in the county the next time it rains heavily? Just for 570 houses? And what happens when the school floods too - where are they going to go. It's not just the people living here who will suffer but it will have a massive knock-on effect for everyone living nearby. I am not so bothered by the increase in traffic - that would happen wherever they built - but the flooding - how can it be ignored? It's been widely encouraged nationwide not to put concrete where floodwaters can go - where will they go if these homes are built - in the new homes and the surrounding areas will be effected even more...what a terrible decision.

MIsc, Tewkesbury Road

commented on 05-Jul-2008 10:27
This is missing the point again (although for the inquiry it was more a matter of swerving hard around the point several times over).

It's not the people who might buy the new houses that will suffer, but the people who are going to be hit worse by flooding because extra roads and buildings won't absorb the run-off water.

Add a little NIMBYism to the mix, because people are only human, but when the development is finished, I'm confident that it won't be long until the campaigners' arguments are vindicated. When that time comes, I hope Gloucester's MP will be able to explain why Hunts Grove and Whaddon were the the only building schemes on our doorstep he could be bothered to take an interest in.

Joe K, Gloucester

commented on 05-Jul-2008 10:01
it just shows they dont care where they build houses, simply ridiculous, but having said that if people are happy to buy houses that are no doubt prone to flooding there just as stupid and shouldnt look so surprised when there up to there necks in manky water... .. let them build their houses and waste their money by no one buying them... wont happen as fools will buy.

tiaenya, chelt

commented on 05-Jul-2008 09:34
The country is as backward-thinking as ever. Fine, build on flood plains, but build smart, elevated houses with only garages and stores at ground level: that's what they do in the rest of the world! But no, doubtless the great British housebuilder will churn out another 600 of the same souless, identikit modern boxes with the usual thoughtlessness.

ASNS, Gloucester

commented on 05-Jul-2008 09:26
Simply ridiculous. In light of the go-ahead the only way to really tackle this kind of problem is to stop buying houses in the flood area then hopefully they'll stop building. In the current credit climate maybe they won;t even go ahead with the build anyway. i guess it's the only way thiese property developers will listen.

Peter, Gloucester

commented on 05-Jul-2008 09:20