Comment

Representation ID: 22218

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Environment Agency (Eastern Region)

There is not enough capacity in current permit at Aylsham WRC to accommodate this development and there are no plans for capacity upgrades in terms of flow in PR19. There are only plans to increase storage at intermittent CSOs. Development at this site will require phasing in line with upgrades to WRC and we will expect to see evidence of liaison with Anglian Water Services regarding this.

GNLP0336
The northern quarter of the site adjacent to the river lies in Flood Zones 2 and 3, both now and with the addition of climate change. The development should be sequentially sited in future Flood Zone 1 wherever possible, to leave the flood zones as open land and able to accept flood water. The floodplain should be preserved as open space and opportunities should be sought to enhance the river corridor and natural environment here. Our access to the watercourse for maintenance purposes must not be impeded.
If development is required to be sited within these present or future Flood Zone 3 (1% annual probability with 35% climate change) and Flood Zone 2 (0.1% annual probability with 35% climate change) flood outlines then the more vulnerable development, and ideally the less vulnerable development too, will need to be designed with floor levels raised 0.3m above the flood levels for the future 1% (1 in 100) annual probability flood event with 35% and ideally 65% allowances for climate change. Refuge will also need to be provided above the 0.1% (1 in 1000) annual probability 25% climate change flood levels. Compensatory flood storage will also need to be provided for any built development or land raising within the 1% (1 in 100) annual probability flood outline with 35% climate change to ensure no increase in flood risk elsewhere. This will require lowering of higher land in Flood Zone 1 to the south to provide the compensatory flood storage.