Flooding

 

On Saturday July 18th 2009, due to heavy rainfall, the River Wear in Durham City broke its banks, which caused severe flooding in the City and its environs particularly at Elvet Waterside, on the Bowling Green and in the green field behind, land which has been designated for the Elvet Waterside development. In the light of these recent events we have written to the Environment Agency (link to letter to Enivironment Agency letter No 1) to voice our concerns about the safety of their decision in lifting their objection to the plans for the Elvet Waterside development, as we feel that a number of issues concerning building on such a high risk flood plain have not been successfully resolved.


In essence we would like the Environment Agency to consider that :


  • The frequency of flooding in this area is greater than the 5% incidence  the Environment Agency have stated. We have photographic evidence from the past 100 years showing a higher incidence than this.
  • In their calculations the developers did not adequately account for increased surface water run off.
  • On July 18th it was evident that the bowling green was a functioning flood plain, contrary to the developers report.
  • The proposed flood storage area upstream at the University playing fields at Maiden Castle cannot adequately cope with a flood such as that experienced on July 18th  2009.
  • The extent and force of flooding has caused erosion of the river banks and in particular a large area just below the commercial element of the Elvet Waterside development (Block D on the plans).

Photographs showing the flooding in this area on July 18th 2009 (please link to attached photos for letter No. 1)


The Environment Agency replied to our letter on 26th October 2009 stating that “In view of your flood risk concerns raised we have decided to carry out, at our own expense, a review of our Hydrological information which is an integral part of the River Wear Hydraulic Model.”

Feb 2010 We have recently received another letter informing us that the figures have been collated and a report on the review is expected shortly.