Agenda item

Application 13/03191/FU and 13/03192LI - Linear flood defences along the River Aire; removal of Knostrop Cut, Water Lane to Woodlesford and listed building application for alterations to listed buildings to provide flood defences along the River Aire, Water Lane to Woodlesford

Further to minute 125 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 9th May 2013, where Panel considered a pre-application presentation on proposals for flood defences along the River Aire, to consider a further report of the Chief Planning Officer seeking determination of applications for linear flood defences along the River Aire and removal of Knostrop Cut and Listed Building Application for alterations to listed buildings to provided flood defences along the River Aire

 

(report attached)

 

 

Minutes:

  Further to minute 125 of the City Plans Panel held on 9th May 2013, where Panel considered a pre-application presentation on proposals for flood defences along the River Aire, to consider the formal applications

  Plans, photographs, drawings and graphics were displayed at the meeting.  A Members site visit had taken place on 22nd October 2013, which had included a river trip to enable Panel to better understand the proposals

  Officers presented the report and outlined the location of the defences and the different types proposed

  Regarding Knostrop Cut, Members were informed that 600m of this would be removed, with the spoil being reused.  The Trans Pennine Trail would also require relocating at this point and that discussions on this would continue with all parties

  A late representation from the Canal and Rivers Trust was reported but it was stated that this raised no new issues.  A late representation from the owners of the site to the north of Hol Beck was also reported seeking further details about the necessary access works to the raised footbridge locations and for this to be agreed with the Highways Authority.  The Deputy Area Planning Manager advised that initial design work had shown that disabled access ramps could be accommodated within Water Lane to provide access to the footbridge connections without preventing two-way traffic movements along Water Lane.  Further dialogue would continue with the adjacent land owner and the Highways Authority on this matter.  However the footbridge connections and associated highway works would be delivered with the adjacent development proposals and not by the Flood Alleviation Scheme

  Members commented on the following matters:

·  the need to involve Ward Members in discussions on the relocation of the Transpennine Trail and on any further amendments to the scheme as presented

·  whether the proposals would affect the current route of the Transpennine Trail under Aberford Road

·  complaints by local residents of noise from the new weirs which have been installed

·  whether by removing part of Knostrop Cut, this could affect the navigation of the river

·  the durability of the glass panels being proposed in the city centre and the maintenance of them

·  whether dredging could take place to increase river capacity

·  the usefulness of the boat trip and the need to consult with boat users on any future proposals, in view of their local knowledge and expertise

·  the spoil from Knostrop Cut; the possibility of removing this by boat and that it could be used for grass banking at Woodlesford

·  the impact of the scheme on flooding further down towards the Kippax and Methley Ward and beyond, to Castleford

·  the length of time taken for a scheme to come forward and that the applicants should be congratulated on designing a scheme which minimised the impact of the defences on properties

·  the wall adjacent to Hol Beck and whether some of the history and heritage could be reflected in the design of this

·  the need for an adequate maintenance regime to ensure that Hol Beck did not become clogged with litter

The following responses were provided

·  that Ward Members would be consulted on the relocation of part of the Transpennine Trail as options developed and in the event that further amendments were proposed to the scheme as set out before Panel

·  that the FAS would not affect the Transpennine Trail route under Aberford Road

·  that the river would remain navigable after the removal of a section of Knostrop Cut

·  that the glass panels to be used in the scheme were designed for public open space and were resistant to vandals.  In terms of after care, a budget for repair and maintenance was included in the scheme

·  that dredging was considered as an options but it had been undertaken in the recent past and was likely to provide more limited benefit than removing part of Knostrop Cut.  Without removing Knostrop Cut there would be a need for 2.5m high walls/barriers at Turlow Court to achieve the same level of flood defence

·  that materials, including the stone would be reused where possible, especially on the Transpennine Trail relocation and that the spoil would be removed by boat

·  that modelling of the scheme had been undertaken down to Castleford, with a 10cm difference in the before and after river level at Woodlesford, with the difference not being measureable at Allerton Bywater, Methley or Castleford

·  that litter was a problem and that the Council and voluntary groups could help with this

In summing up the debate, the Chair echoed previous comments that

the scheme as presented was a great improvement on previous proposals and congratulated all those involved

  RESOLVED -  

  Application 13/03191/FU

  To approve in principle and to defer and delegate approval to the Chief Planning Officer to allow the expiry of the additional consultation period and to address any issues that may arise during that period and subject to any conditions deemed necessary

  Application 13/03192/LI

  To approve in principle and to defer and delegate approval to the Chief Planning Officer to allow the expiry of the additional consultation period and to address any issues that may arise during that period, subject to any conditions deemed necessary and to allow the application to be referred to the Secretary of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government

 

 

Supporting documents: