Flood defence and protection scheme approved for Salisbury
The River Park project will also help towards the Maltings redevelopment plans.
Wiltshire Council's approved the first phase of the Salisbury River Park scheme during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday (3rd November).
The masterplan includes flood prevention measures for the city centre, such as defences, as well as improvements to the river areas for leisure and recreational use, while being mindful of the ecology and biodiversity of the habitats.
Philip Whitehead, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said:
"The Environment Agency have updated their flood risk maps for Salisbury which showed larger areas of the city were at risk of flooding and we would encourage residents to check if their property is affected by this change. Since then we have been working closely with the Environment Agency to explore what can be done to reduce this risk in the future.
"Today's decision means we can move forward with the first phase of an £18 million package of investment provided by the Environment Agency and Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership, to protect residents and businesses in Salisbury City Centre.
"The Salisbury River Park scheme is one of the first initiatives to come forward from the recently endorsed Salisbury Central Area Framework which aims to ensure the city has a more vibrant and sustainable future. It is also a key project in the council's climate programme supporting our aim to make the county carbon neutral by 2030."
WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
Wiltshire Council will put the masterplan out for public consultation later this month, so we can give our views.
A planning application is then due to go in next year, alongside the Environment Agency.
Terms will also agreed for a £6.06 million Local Growth Fund grant from the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership, with the Environment Agency also hoping to get funding for the scheme too.
POSSIBLE IMPACT ON PARKING
We're also warned that any construction work for the project could impact on Central Car Park and the Millstream Coach Park for a time, as they sit next to Salisbury rivers.
Up to 347 spaces could be lost in Central car park during the period of work - that's 17% of the whole site - with the Coach park being temporarily relocated too.
The current plan would see work take place for two years, from December 2021.