County council discuss flood basin near Mariners Way, Maldon

The floodwater detention basin near Brickhouse Community Centre, in Poulter Close, Maldon, came up against many objections by residents earlier this year.

The plans would see the children’s play area relocated and several trees being cut down.

In a report being presented to the committee tomorrow, it responds to several major criticisms of the plan.

The report said: “There is no legal requirement for the applicant to carry out community engagement although it is strongly encouraged.

“It is unfortunate that the public session was carried out after the application had been submitted.

“A number of representations have stated they are unaware of any flooding in the area, despite living there for many years.

“The applicant has responded by stating that the Environment Agency’s updated flood maps for surface water show that the Maldon Central area is at high risk of surface water flooding and has also been identified as a critical drainage area within Essex County Council’s feasibility studies.

“As the Maldon Central area is heavily urbanised, there are limited spaces to deliver a flood alleviation scheme.”

The green space next to Brickhouse Farm is near the key surface water flow path running through the critical drainage area.

The proposed scheme is said to be the “most logical and cost-effective” point to direct flood water into the storage area.

The report says some people asked for the scheme to be postponed for up to 20 years, until land south of Limebrook Way is developed.

But the applicant is said to be “anxious” to deliver the proposed scheme as soon as possible to protect properties from significant surface water flood risk.

The application has received a petition of 76 signatures objecting to the plan and 91 letters of representation from residents.

In total, more than 100 households were informed of the floodwater basin application.

To read the full report, visit cmis.essexcc.gov.uk/essexcmis5/CalendarofMeetings.aspx.