We support the concept statement acknowledging:
- That part of the site is within Flood Zone 2 and 3 and that this land should be set aside for public open space. We strongly support this which would address the NPPF requirement for a sequential approach to be applied. Further we note your Strategic Flood Risk Assessment shows areas of the site are modelled to be Flood Zone 3b (functional floodplain). The technical guide to the NPPF advises that only water compatible and essential infrastructure uses (as set out in Table 2 of this document) would be appropriate in this area. Open space would therefore be suitable but a Flood Risk Assessment should support any future planning application to ensure all areas of Flood Zone are correctly identified. You may consider it useful to add this requirement to the policy as a minor amendment;
- A contaminated land study will be required due to the previous uses of the site.
- SuDS need to be provided and a drainage strategy submitted
- That capacity in the foul water network will need modelling at the planning application stage due to sewer flooding downstream. This issue is acknowledged in your Water Cycle Study so the reference in your allocations DPD is welcomed.