Environment Agency warning on MIll Lane flood risk

The Environment Agency is calling for strict flood prevention works to be carried out as part of any potential planning approval for the Mill Lane housing scheme.

Environment Agency (EA) officials have spelt out their demands in response to a consultation request from Cheshire East Council on plans to build up to 36 homes on land above Audlem Brook.

They fear that the discharge of surface water run-off on the site poses a real increased risk of flooding.

Dawn Hewitt, for the Environment Agency, says they want strict conditions imposed on any planning consent that might be granted.

And they want a block on any development work being started before the local planning authority has approved in writing:

• A site layout plan to demonstrate that all dwellings are outside the flood risk area
• A scheme that will limit all surface water run-off on the site
• A scheme to manage the risk of flooding from any overland flow of surface water
• A landscape management plan for Audlem Brook that includes long-term design objectives

The EA also wants no alteration to be made to existing ground levels on any of the flood risk areas of the site.

The report points out that Audlem Brook is classed as a 'main river' which gives the Environment Agency discretionary powers to carry out works along the riverbank.

The EA has told Hockenhull Properties Ltd it must ensure clear access to the Audlem Brook watercourse and its banks in any planning proposals.

And they warn that consent for any work that impedes access for Agency workers within an eight metre wide strip of the brook is unlikely to be granted.

They also remind the developer that any proposed structures that are built to deal with surface water outfall will first require EA consent under the Water Resources Act 1991 and Land Drainage Byelaws

The EA report adds: "We are promoting, with help of local authorities and councils, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). The discharge of surface water should, wherever practicable be in the form of grassy swales, detention ponds, soakaways, permeable paving, etc."

The flood risk posed by the Mill Lane development is the major concern of many objectors to the proposals.

Cheshire East has been sent several photos of previous flooding on the site and Audlem Parish Council's objection includes several links to flooding stories published on AudlemOnline.

The last date for submitting comments online has now passed and the Mill Lane plan is set to be heard by Cheshire East's Strategic Planning Board on October 9th with a decision target date of October 31st.

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