NORTH EAST MEP DEMANDS USE OF LATEST FLOOD MODEL IN HURWORTH PLACE DEVELOPMENT DISPUTE (Bishop Auckland Liberal Democrats)

Bishop Auckland Liberal Democrats <mark@bishoplibdems.org.uk>

NORTH EAST MEP DEMANDS USE OF LATEST FLOOD MODEL IN HURWORTH PLACE DEVELOPMENT DISPUTE

August 9, 2010 12:00 AM
Originally published by Fiona Hall MEP

Lib Dem MEP for the North East, Fiona Hall, has reacted with anger over a developer's refusal to assess the flood risk of existing properties in Hurworth Place with the help of a new river model made available for free.

Yuill Homes bought the site at Hurworth Place with outline planning permission to build two detached and thirteen town houses only months before it was classified as a high-risk area for flooding. They originally agreed to assess the flood risk impact of the new developments on existing properties with the help of a new River Tees flood model provided by the Environment Agency. However, despite obtaining a free copy of the model which usually costs several thousands of pounds, Yuill Homes are now refusing to use it citing expenses as their reason.

Fiona said:

"It is outrageous that Yuill is refusing to use a free copy of the Environment Agency's River Tees model to assess the flood risk to existing properties close to the planned new development.

"Darlington Council assured me they would review residents' concerns about flooding risks with the Environment Agency. Yuill cannot now be let off the hook and simply refuse to provide a flood assessment based on the latest available model. Local residents need to know where they stand.

"It is just plain wrong not to use the latest available flood model given the dynamic changes of flooding risks in an age of rapid climate change."

Local resident Susan Dell said:

"Everybody who knows anything about this site knows it lies in the flood plain - and this new model simply proves it. For Yuill not to use this model demonstrates their cavalier attitude to villagers' legitimate and reasonable concerns."

Local Lib Dem councillor Martin Swainston said:

"This shows how unreasonable Yuill have been. They need to start working with the local community rather than against it. It is time to be fair and put people's legitimate concerns about their properties before profit."