Saturday 22nd November 2014
Al Wright, writes ~
With the National Planning Policy Framework guiding how new development should be handled with the very clear statement that flooding is a key part of the policy and that in the preparation of all plans it must be accounted for, ensuring that development is placed in the least flood risk areas and does not increase flood risk to others, can Warminster Town Council and its Neighbourhood Planning Work Group explain what information they are using regarding flooding, and flood risk in the area?
Warminster Town Council, earlier this year, claimed not to be holding flood records and the Environment Agency (EA) Flood Report for the town back in 2005 recommended much more information was needed including Lidar, Flood Infrastructure Assessment, a Surface Water Management Plan and more accurate Flood Storage Area details in order to safely add more development in the town due to all the flooding incidents without information as to the causes of these floods.
To my knowledge the required town-wide assessments have not been done.
If going forward, flood risk is not clearly and accurately accounted for, won’t this mean the plan will be refused as inadequate? Or are the council ignoring flood risk as per usual hoping it will not be mentioned as an issue like the severe flooding last year that conveniently received no press coverage and no action by either Warminster Town Council, Wiltshire Council or the Environment Agency.
To view the extent of flooding on Boreham Road, Warminster (for example), click on the links below and see if you think it should be ignored.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=41-PukBbRvw
m.youtube.com/watch?v=KlpnOiIRi6w
m.youtube.com/watch?v=_nvO6Ch6Uis
I hope both Warminster Town Council and the Warminster Neighbourhood Plan Working Group are taking flooding seriously in their plans as the effects of not doing so are clearly shown in the videos above and damage to cars, property and potentially to people should not be down-played by the town council just because it is not happening to them.