By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
There are serious concerns over how 1,300 new homes could worsen flooding in a Gloucestershire town.
Lydney was badly hit by flooding during storm Bert. And civic chiefs fear the situation will only get worse if hundreds of new homes are built in the area.
The Severnside town will be the main focus for new development in the Forest of Dean.
The Forest of Dean District Council’s draft local plan, the blueprint for development in the district until 2041, has singled out the market town as the place where most new homes will be built.
Alan Preest, a longstanding County and District Councillor for the town, says too many houses have been built in the area already. “We can’t just keep building houses,” he said.
“It’s common sense, I cannot understand how plans for housing keep getting approval. They are impacting the local flood management schemes.
Cllr Preest raised his concerns at Gloucestershire County Council’s environment scrutiny committee meeting on November 29.
He said water firms should have more of a saying in the planning process.
“I’ve seen my town in Lydney, pretty well destroyed in a few areas this last week,” he said.
“I’m faced with a lot of anger in Lydney. I’m faced with an authority in the Forest of Dean which is blinded by housing numbers.
Local Plan cabinet member Sid Phelps (G, Lydbrook. said he understands the concerns over potential new housing in Lydney given the recent flood damage caused in the town.
But he said the local plan has been put together after extensive research to ensure that there is no increased risk of flooding with new developments.
“With the recent damage caused to properties and businesses in Lydney, I understand the concern over potential development in the area,” he said.
“However, the draft local plan, Our Plan, has been put together following extensive research of the area, as well as conversations with partners, organisations and residents to ensure that there is no increased risk of flooding with any new development.
“Our Plan” states that areas at risk from flooding are unsuitable for most development and measures need to be taken by any new development to allow for changes such as rising sea levels and extreme weather. It also details that all new developments must ensure that flood risk is not increased elsewhere.
“Full details for the draft local plan, Our Plan, can be found on the Council’s website.”