Flooding worry sinks bungalows plan (From Echo)

Flooding worry sinks bungalows plan

5:50am Saturday 10th May 2008 in

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FOUR new bungalows on Canvey are the latest development to be thrown out because of flooding fears.

The proposals in Munsterburg Road were rejected by Castle Point Council as parts of the site were deemed a high flood risk.

The council continues to stick closely to Environment Agency advice which warns against development in high flood risk areas, like the southern part of Canvey.

This has led to many applications being refused, including one for a block of eight flats in May Avenue planned by Champagne Developments.

The council's latest report, on Munsterburg Road, read: "The flood risk assessment has failed to demonstrate that the proposal is safe in terms of flood risk or that safe access from the site could be achieved in flood conditions.

"Furthermore, insufficient information has been submitted regarding surface water management and the local planning authority cannot be satisfied that the development would not increase flood risk."

But Ray Howard, borough and county councillor for Canvey West, insisted the island had the best sea defences and internal drainage system in the country and a blanket ban on development was not necessary.

He said: "The situation is there are sections of the community where there are old properties coming to the end of their useful life and new properties are replacing them.

"So it's not completely new developments on unused land we're talking about.

"I've had dozens of letters from all over the island where people are having hardship because they want to replace their old bungalow with a new home."

The council believes the problems with flood risk can be overcome when it comes to plans for regeneration on the island.

Ian Burchill, director of environment, said: "The Environment Agency has a statutory role to fulfil in relation to planning applications. We take their comments into account as part of the process.

"We do not think it will affect regeneration of Canvey because the issues are resolvable."