Flood planning advice clarification issued in Windsor

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and the Environment Agency have taken the unusual step of writing to residents and developers granted planning permission in areas previously thought to have been protected from flooding to reassure them that the permissions still stand.

The two bodies have decided to take a "precautionary approach" in assessing flood risk in the area which the man-made Jubilee River – effectively a bypass for excess water flowing past Windsor and Maidenhead in the event of the Thames flooding – is designed to protect.

Findings from an independent review concluded that the scheme cannot currently operate at its original design capacity. As a result, new planning applications are being assessed using pre-scheme flood levels.

Councillor Vicky Howes, the Royal Borough’s lead member for planning commented: "There has been some uncertainty over likely flood levels in the affected area but we are working closely with the Environment Agency on this matter and I am encouraged that they are making progress with the preparation of the new level information.

"This information will enable our planners and development control panels to take informed decisions."

Roger Milne

20th January 2005