Minutes:
Gary Garford updated the Forum with regard to the Wisbech Garden Town project. The flood mitigation study has now been completed with Royal Haskoning and discussions are now taking place with the Environment Agency. A connectivity study has been competed with regard to capacity on the A47. The rail study has commenced for the link between March and Wisbech and this is being led by the Combined Authority and County Council.
There is also a further A47 study from the preliminary work, looking at an option appraisal on preferred routes.
There has a been a bid submitted to Central Government to include Wisbech in the Garden Town prospectus, however there is no timescale regarding this, but by the Spring, it will mean that there is Government support, so it can be quoted to other partners that Wisbech is on the prospectus.
Work has also commenced with the Combined Authority with a consultant called Inner Circle, where the next stages are being developed with regard to viability, master planning and dealing with the Planning Team at Fenland with regard to planning options, as it will also need to link in with the new Local Plan.
Part of this work will include a public and stakeholder engagement process.
Works on the Garden Town project are also linking in with the Wisbech Access Study work together with the consultants who are involved with that as well as flood mitigation and an option appraisal that had been carried out with regard to the barrier or barrage on the River Nene has just been completed which looked 23 options, a barrier or barrage, north of Wisbech and one north of the Cross Keys bridge at Sutton Bridge and another South of the Cross Keys bridge. The preferred one is the one just South of the Cross Keys Bridge.
John Maxey asked whether the studies that have been carried out are published documents, due to the fact that when discussions start with regard to the Local Plan, if there is a wider flood study around Wisbech, it might inform the Local Plan review and also the connectivity study with regard to traffic issues. Gary Garford stated that the documents are not yet in the public domain, as the relevant sign off still needs to be achieved by the Environment Agency.
John Maxey added that when the Local Plan is reviewed, it is important that all the technical information including infrastructure and strategy are included.
The comment was made that there is a great deal of important and encouraging work taking place, however it needs to be promoted to the general public, to keep them informed of the progress to date. Gary Garford commented that the project is still in its infancy and therefore, the Authority does not wish to raise expectations or blight land on both sides too early. Once the concept is agreed, then the next stage will be proper engagement, however he took the comments on board and agreed to raise it at the next steering group meeting.
Gary Garford highlighted to the Forum the various projects and feasibilities that are currently in progress.
Nick Harding commented that the Lead Local Flood Authority have advised that they have been working with the IDB with regard to the use of soakaways in the Whittlesey area and therefore they maybe changes made with regard to surface water in the Whittlesey area in the future. They have asked the planning department to consult them on more applications than what is normally the case, however whilst he is happy with that arrangement, he intends to let the LLFA and the IDB know is for small developments coming back with issues concerning soakaways not being appropriate for them, as the smaller developments have the risk of not being surface water disposed of, by any other means due to in adequate network piping due to the site location.
The comment was made with regard to how expensive pre application fees appear to be, compared with other authorities and a review of the costs was requested.
The Lead Local Flood Authority will be in attendance at the next forum and Nick Harding agreed to invite the Middle Level IDB.
Topics for the next meeting will include;
· Strategic Issues re Local Plan
· LLFA and IDB with regard to progress in joined up thinking.
· Whittlesey Surface Water
Date of next meeting
3 April 2019.