Council backs calls for more action to prevent flooding
750 people signed a petition on the issue
Cheltenham Borough councillors have backed calls to better assess the risk of flooding when deciding where new homes can be built.
More than 750 residents signed a petition which was presented to Cheltenham Borough Council to examine flood risks in detail before allocating more development sites.
Residents say the current development proposals fall short in considering flood risks and this has virtually destroyed their faith in the borough council’s plan in some areas.
They want the borough council to consult more with parish councils and government agencies.
Borough councillors considered the petition at a full council meeting on June 21st.
They have committed to work with relevant partners and agencies in managing the impacts of climate change ensuring that the Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury joint core strategy plans for the longer term needs of flood management and mitigation.
Councillor Bernie Fisher said the council is very aware of the flooding risk and must do more
He said they council will look to discuss ways of preventing flooding with other agencies and authorities to prevent flooding.
“What is the norm now, will probably not be acceptable in 20 years’ time,” he said.
“The climate has changed. People like me who have been here a very long time remember when it was difference to this.
“We need to make sure when we get large planning applications we hammer it out with everyone involved early on.
“It’s no use leaving it to when you come to vote on whether you approve 500 homes down somewhere or not.
“We need to get the Environment Agency and the lead flood authority Gloucestershire County Council involved early.
“We were very supportive of the petition and it is very progressive.”
The petition asks for the borough council to commission a detailed pluvial and fluvial flood risk assessment across the whole joint core strategy (JCS) area of Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury
They want the assessment to cover the cumulative impact from all completed, planned and projected development since 2014, climate change and other factors such as major road projects and for it to include a full review of mitigation requirements that may be required during the construction phase.
“We ask the council to fully consult with all relevant agencies and parish councils, reviewing and incorporating their local evidence and include this within the council’s development plans justification,” the petition reads.
“In considering flooding and flood risk, our current development plans fall short; particularly given all the evidence currently available about the cumulative impact of pluvial (surface rain) and fluvial (river) flooding across the whole JCS area.
“The result of this is to severely impact residents and, in some areas, has virtually destroyed faith in the borough council’s plan.”
The borough council says it completely reevaluated its approach to flood risk management in 2020.
A new flood resilience programme officer role was created and flooding now forms a key part of the council’s response to climate change.
The council says it is aware there are areas for improvement and will be taking on board lessons learnt.
Since the 2007 floods, the council says it has invested in several schemes to protect businesses and homes from flooding.
Most recently, Cheltenham has benefitted from the completion of a £2.78million scheme at Priors Farm and Noverton Farm,
The council says this should greatly reduce flood risk to properties in the Whaddon and Oakley areas of Cheltenham.