Melton Against Development

In Floodplains

(MAD-IF)

Dear Melton Community

We are an action group in Melton who firmly believe that our Floodplains
(areas at high risk of flooding) are vital to our wellbeing, both now and in the
future and should be fiercely protected from development.
There are no advantages gained by building in the Floodplain, when we know
from experience, properties are at high risk of flooding and more
importantly; lives are put at unnecessary risk. Disappointingly after much
hard work, some in our local Parish Council are seeking to include the
Carter/Warburg Proposal (CWP) in our Neighbourhood Plan; the Community
MUST be consulted first on this important step; do we really want to
subscribe to the dangers of building in Floodplains with all the associated
risks ?
The Community has welcomed many of the ideas in the CWP (see here
http://media.wix.com/ugd/1b2dbd_4c10e8648b2d4e4bbc8f1e2f6a55c863.pdf),
but these ideas would be much better suited and safer in other higher
contoured sites outside the Floodplain.
The Environment Agency (EA) (see here http://watermaps.environmentagency.gov.uk/wiyby/wiyby.aspx?
topic=floodmap#x=357683&y=355134&scale=2) are unlikely to support this
CWP because the site lies in Zone 3b, which is at highest risk of flooding and
they do realise the increasing importance of protecting the Floodplain.

What do you think? , here are some facts for you to consider
about the CWP site.
Fact 1: Most of the site (55%) lies in part of a Special Landscape Area (SLA),
we only have 1 such area in Melton and this surely needs to be protected,
some in the Community suggest this could be for its wildlife and biodiversity benefits alone. Many protected mammals and birds, can be seen in
this area. In addition, this is primarily a Greenfield Site and exudes sheer
beauty (See face book cover page https://www.facebook.com/Mad-If-MeltonAgainst-Development-in-Floodplains-1311638302185245/); it is clearly NOT a
Brownfield Site as incorrectly stated in recent press releases.
Fact 2: The Greenfield areas comprise several streams and springs and acts
as a giant sponge, absorbing and SLOWLY releasing rainfall after prolonged
wet weather storms. They are protecting the lower areas including Wilford
Bridge Road and the adjacent Industrial Estate areas, removal of this sponge
effect and its replacement with large areas of impermeable concrete, tarmac,
housing and business units will inevitably lead to increasing risk of flash
floods and traffic chaos in this and surrounding areas.
Fact 3: To prevent loss of Floodplain storage, the CWP site has to be designed
to provide compensatory storage. In order to replicate the existing situation

for a particular flood, an equal volume of Floodplain must be created to that

taken up by the raised development, on a level for level, volume for volume
basis. This is to ensure that flood water is not displaced elsewhere with
potential adverse impacts. The existing topography of the CWP site,
particularly the bottom two thirds, much of it being flat and low lying with
complex networks of springs and streams, would make the provision of
compensatory storage extremely challenging and may result in complete
redesign of the CWP, or possibly the total failure of this proposal.
Fact 4: If the CWP was able to go ahead, the convergence of the traffic
generated from 2 Business Parks, SCDC employees, new housing residents,
visitors and through traffic adjacent to the CWP site is a recipe for chaos.
Worse still if a breach or overtopping of the nearby river defences were to
occur, it would take just a few minutes for the first flood waters to arrive at
the site entrance; a little over 30cm of flood water would be sufficient to lift
the average car and put many of the people in the area at risk of serious
harm. The CWP would exacerbate flooding risks in this area, as a result of
more rapid inundation and greater velocities of flood water; resulting in
increased risks to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
Fact 5: Within just a few hours of a breach and overtopping scenario the
entrance to and exit from, the CWP site would be inundated with up to 2.3
metres deep flood water. Clearly safe ingress to, or egress from the CWP site,
would not be possible. Very difficult conditions could last from a day or so to
possibly a week or more, dependent upon the severity of tidal surge, if tidal
locking occurs, the size of any defence breaching and key infrastructure
damage recovery. This is not scaremongering, a breach or overtopping is
unpredictable but quite possible; the last tidal surge event happened in
December 2013 and came within just 50cm of overtopping some of the
defence walls. Had this event been preceded by very heavy rainfall and a
deeper depression in the North Sea, then the outcome could have been very
different; a catastrophic breach or overtopping of the defences may well have
occurred.

Stop storing up trouble, let us be honest please!

For the powers that be, they have to be realistic, forward thinking and admit
that perhaps; mistakes have been made in the past. Well far from dwelling on
the past, it is imperative that they prioritise their thought processes and
strategies on future planning now. It is not a question of will another tidal
surge happen; but WHEN it will happen and how best they might prepare all
of us for that eventuality and protect the Community as a whole.
A very good start can be achieved by prohibiting new development within the
Floodplain such as this CWP site which if allowed, would only add to a very
difficult position with disastrous consequences. With the damaging effects of
climate change increasing exponentially each year, we MUST retain our
Floodplains and act NOW. Placing visitors and our Community in harms way
is NOT a solution; neither are irrational planning decisions which will
compound flooding severity, leaving an awful legacy for our children and
grandchildren.

An alternative use for the site, perhaps ?

Brownfield (Carters) Excavate a lake yes, for safe sailing/ canoeing activities;
but remove the excavated material off site so no loss of floodplain storage is
incurred, erect porta-cabins (for easy removal if floods forecast) for teaching
purposes; so the young and older could be taught to sail/ canoe. Provide foot
paths, seating and retain/ create new green amenity spaces.
Greenfield (Warburg). Work in conjunction with Suffolk Wildlife Trust (SWT or
similar organisation) to sensitively promote the abundant wildlife species and
bio-diversity that exists on this beautiful SLA site. Our near neighbours,
Bromeswell Parish Council have done this; making funds available and
working closely alongside SWT.
(http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/reserves/bromeswell-green) Periodically
school visits, wildlife talks, bat watches, could be arranged and local
community volunteers sought to assist at both of the above sites.
This does cost money and would rely to a large extent on the landowners
generosity, we could endeavour to raise monies ourselves and apply for any
Grants, lottery awards available- anything is possible.
Contact your Parish Council Here

http: // melton-suffolk-pc.gov.uk, please

go to the forthcoming Council meetings and

tell them what YOU want,

WHAT YOU REALLY, REALLY WANT!

Your comments on our Face Book page (https://www.facebook.com/Mad-IfMelton-Against-Development-in-Floodplains-1311638302185245/) and the
sharing of with your friends would be much appreciated; so get talking and
express YOUR views on these important issues.