Flood fear bars flats

A GOVERNMENT inspector has rejected a controversial scheme for new low-lying homes near the river in central Lewes.

This follows a public inquiry, held in Lewes last year.

Lewes District Council originally turned down the proposals for 27 flats at Corporation Wharf, North Street, in July last year on the grounds of unacceptable flood risk. The plans subsequently went to appeal.

And in a landmark decision, the inspector has backed the tough new controls on flood-plain development brought in by the council following the autumn 2000 floods.

Cllr Andrew Small, cabinet member with responsibility for planning said this week: 'Although the development would have brought advantages in regenerating an old industrial site, and in providing much needed new homes for the town, the flood risk to future occupiers was found to be the over-riding factor in rejecting the scheme.

Stilts

At the inquiry it was suggested that the buildings could be erected on stilts with the area underneath used for car parking.

The Environment Agency said the site was at risk of flooding from waters flowing down the flood plain from the north.

But the appellants, Packham Developments, submitted that the October 2000 rainfall was greater than a once in 200 years probability.

The inspector, Roy Hurley, concluded: 'The Environment Agency indicate that the standard of flood defence in the area does not afford an acceptable level of protection.

'They have commissioned a catchment strategy plan which will cover a number of options to alleviate flooding in Lewes.

'Implementation of the chosen option(s) is unlikely to begin until 2005 at the earliest. The Agency is unable to make a commitment to any scheme or timescale because no funding for any scheme has been agreed.

Breached

'The flood defence walls through Lewes are nearing the end of their life.

'Sections of the existing river wall were breached or collapsed in the October event. While the Agency has completed a series of repairs to help hold back the river until such time that the strategy options are implemented, it is clear to me that there are weaknesses in the design and condition of flood defences in and around Lewes.

'At this point in time, I find that the appeal site is not located within an area already defended to the appropriate minimum standard of flood defence.

Mr Hurley said the appellants had offered to raise or strengthen all flood defence walls to the site. Alternatively they would remove the wall and provide a bank to suit Environment Agency requirements.

But while these measures would improve the flood defences of the site, they would not prevent flooding of the site.

There was real risk that it could be flooded by waters flowing down the flood-plain from the north.

And there was a risk that the site could be flooded by waters from the Ouse that had flowed over the top of defences upstream.

There would be no escape route from the site over dry land at times of flooding because it was likely that North Street would be flooded.

During a flood, occupiers would be unable to leave or return to their properties without walking through flood water.

l Funding shortfall will delay defence schemes: Page 11