Shropshire Star

Objections to apartments over flooding issues

A bid to build more than 55 flats on land affected by flooding has attracted the opposition of the local council and the Environment Agency.

Published

Both Shrewsbury Town Council and the Environment Agency have submitted objections to plans for 54 apartments and 55 car parking spaces at the former Timberline Depot and Dulux Warehouse, in Old Coleham.

The developers have put forward a plan that would see the building built on stilts, to reduce the effect of flooding in Coleham – an area where the Environment Agency has installed flood defences.

The Environment Agency objections states: "The current application seeks to develop this site by building 'over' flood zone three. In our pre-application response we stated that "the Environment Agency do not consider, and would not support stilted development or void space under buildings as a means of flood storage compensation"."

It adds: "The proposed scheme is contrary to the advice provided at pre-application stage and we are therefore unable to support the development."

The developers have said their plans provide a chance to show that building can take place in the area without increasing risk of flooding.

A report submitted with the application states: "This brownfield site is an exciting opportunity for Shrewsbury to demonstrate that resilient structures can be built to accommodate residents despite the risk of flooding. The proposal will allow a very constructive use of the site for the long term and provide much needed open market and affordable housing in this area of the town."

However, Shrewsbury Town Council's objection states: "Given its prominent location within the Belle Vue Conservation Area, the town council feels that the design proposals of this development are not appropriate for this site and consequently neither preserve nor enhance the Conservation Area."

It adds: "The site is prone to flooding and members have concerns about how this will be managed and whether a second dry access to the site has been established.

"The local vicinity also suffers from high volumes of traffic and parking problems of which additional accommodation on this scale will only exacerbate. Should the parking provision be insufficient for this development it will increase the problems of a lack of on-street parking in this congested area."