Chester MP Chris Matheson has written to Prime Minister David Cameron to raise concerns as developers queue up to build on the Chester flood plain.
Mr Matheson’s letter comes as Cheshire West and Chester Council is about to decide the latest housing plan targeting the Sealand Basin.
CWaC planning experts look set to refuse the 130-homes scheme in Clifton Drive, off Sealand Road, because of the flood risk.
But similar concerns were ignored by CWaC councillors when Bark Street Investments was given approval for 142-homes on playing fields on the other side of Clifton Drive, also in the flood plain, with a final decision awaited following a public inquiry.
In his letter to Mr Cameron, the Chester MP wrote: “Given the increase in large scale incidences of flooding in the UK in recent years, it is clear that current planning regulations are too lax with regard to flood plains. The Environment Agency need increased funding to become more proactive, supported by robust planning law which should state unequivocally that land designated as flood plain is not suitable for development.”
He continued: “There are far too many such applications at present in Chester, one for 142 houses on Clifton Drive (ironically off Sealand Road) which is with the Planning Inspectorate at present, and further applications on the Sealand Basin are pending; and whilst Chester managed to escape the worst of the flooding this year, further development on the flood plain would clearly make the city more vulnerable in the future.”
In the latest case, Bloor Homes and Sealand Commercial Properties Limited are seeking permission for up to 130 homes on a field next to Clifton Drive, as well as demolishing four properties in Sealand Road to provide access onto the site.
CWaC councillors had been due to determine the application at Tuesday’s planning committee (February 2) but the application was yesterday removed from the agenda and will now be decided by the planning department.
In her report, planning officer Bethany Brown concludes the site is ‘unsuitable for residential development, given the level of flood risk in the area’.
The developer says the proposal seeks to deliver much needed market and affordable housing in a suitable and sustainable location. A watercourse runs through the centre of the site which has dictated the lay-out and a central area of open space. On site ‘surface water attenuation’ is proposed within three areas of the site.
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