Public feedback shapes Harnham defence proposal
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Author: |
Paul Gainey |
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Date published: |
26-Nov-2007 |
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Keywords: |
Harnham, Churchfields, Salisbury, Barlow |
The Environment Agency is about to submit the revised proposals for a flood defence scheme at Harnham, near Salisbury, following a public exhibition and consultation.
Local people were invited to take a look at the two different options. One will safeguard local homes from a flood with a 1 in 100 (1%) chance and the other is guarding against a flood with a 1 in 200 (0.50 %) chance of happening in any one year.
Visitors to the exhibition were asked to show their preference on a short questionnaire and the majority were in favour of the 1-in-200 scheme. Therefore the preferred option will offer a greater degree of flood protection from rivers.
Based on the feedback, the design of the scheme is being reviewed. This is to ensure that sensitive areas are given further consideration.
These include the loss of public open space, the loss of trees, especially the poplars in Town Path, the Churchfields Industrial Estate drain, the wetland area in Middle Street Meadow, and the proximity of flood defences to residential property.
‘These issues all need to be carefully addressed to become acceptable as possible without compromising the design of the flood defence,’ said Phil Barlow for the Environment Agency.
‘The preferred option also allows more space for floodwater along a particularly restricted reach of the river. It also means we can create a wetland area and pond to improve Middle Street Meadow for wildlife and people’s enjoyment.’
Planting trees and shrubs would maintain the privacy of nearby homes and full recreational use of the Meadow would continue. The reed bed facility in the wetland area of the meadow will both provide a habitat for wildlife and act as a filter for water flowing off Churchfields Industrial Estate, which is presently untreated.
The reeds will oxygenate the water enabling bacteria in the reed bed to break down any pollutants before it’s discharged into the River Nadder. The Environment Agency is working closely with Wessex Water to improve the water quality at Churchfields.
The public response received at the exhibition will help shape the planning application which will be submitted to Salisbury District Council before the end of this month. People then have 16 weeks to make any comments to the council about the proposal.
Wessex Regional Flood Defence Committee has approved a £2million scheme to improve the existing flood banks, built in 1961 and 1991/92, and help safeguard 260 properties from flooding.
Floods have regularly affected Harnham with problems reported in 1960, 1979, 1990, 1995 and 2000. In 1979 flooding affected 25 properties and in 1990 eight homes with under water with a further 19 seriously affected.
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Doc reference: |
177/07 |
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Contact: |
