6:30pm Monday 9th November 2009
By Andrew Napier
THE developer of Barton Farm has denied that homes could be built on land at risk of flooding.
CALA Homes' new proposals including developing land that its previous plan had earmarked as open space and which flooded in the exceptionally wet winters in 1999-2001.
The plans clearly show a lozenge-shaped green area at the bottom of the 2003 map designed as a floodwater storage area.
But in the latest plans the rounded zone has been replaced by the long sleeve. Several homes on the new plan are earmarked for land that was previously considered at risk.
But Mike Emett, CALA land director, said: "The flood storage area is pretty much the same. We are going to provide a water run-off storage area on the lowest part of the site adjoining the railway embankment."
Mr Emett said that even if the heavy rainfall of 1999-2001 was to return, and it was rated a one in a 100-year event, then the flooding would not recur. Hedges that acted as a dam will be removed as part of the development.
He said there was issues between CALA and the Environment Agency as to why the flooding occurred but added: "I'm confident there are not any flood risk issues arising from this development. The fears were exagerated by the objectors at the time. It was a red herring."
Mr Emett said he was keen to make clear that no part of Barton Farm was on a flood plain, land close to rivers that are regularly inundated.
There remain local fears about the impact of flooding.
Maurice Moore, a retired municipal engineer and planning officer, said he was concerned by the run-off from the development and its impact on the city downstream.
Mr Moore, of Park Road, said: "The run-off from the roads and houses will contribute to the possible flooding of Winchester in the future."
Gavin Blackman, chairman of the Save Barton Farm Group, said: "It has always been an issue. That part of Barton Farm floods fairly regularly. Whether CALA has come up with a solution that means they don't need so much land as buffer, I don't know."
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