Blears approves housing despite flooding fears

Communities secretary Hazel Blears has approved plans for two major housing schemes at Tewkesbury despite local concern over the risk of flooding. One of the sites was under two feet of water during last year's summer floods.

However, in both cases Blears has agreed with the planning inspectors who chaired the call-in inquiries that, provided the schemes incorporate flood-proofing measures and each has a sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS), the developments should get the green light.
 
In her decision letters on proposals for a 450-dwelling project at Homelands farm, Bishops Cleeve, and plans for a 570-unit scheme at Longford, the Secretary of State insisted that the projects would not flood or increase the risk of flooding elsewhere "provided that an appropriate SUDS is put in place and reliably maintained".

Blears stressed that the scheme was needed because of an existing shortfall in housing supply in the area. In the case of the Longford site that need was sufficient to justify the loss of some land currently designated as Green Belt.

Councillor Derek Davies, lead member for the built environment for Tewkesbury Borough Council, said: "Whilst we recognise that many local councillors and residents will be disappointed with these decisions the Borough Council will do all it can to ensure that the development is delivered within the strict conditions imposed by the Secretary of State, including the necessary surface water drainage measures and provision of associated infrastructure and community facilities."

Read the Secretary of State's decision letter

Read the Tewkesbury Borough Council press release

 

Roger Milne

07 August 2008