Object

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 37553

Received: 31/07/2021

Respondent: Mr Andrew Allen

Representation Summary:

Data used to project sea level rise and coastal flooding is inadequate. Many sites being promoted/considered are at risk of serious flooding. See here https://coastal.climatecentral.org/map/15/0.7053/51.6182/?theme=sea_level_rise&map_type=coastal_dem_comparison&basemap=hybrid&contiguous=true&elevation_model=best_available&forecast_year=2100&pathway=rcp45&percentile=p50&refresh=true&return_level=return_level_1&slr_model=kopp_2014

Full text:

https://coastal.climatecentral.org/map/15/0.6611/51.6171/?theme=sea_level_rise&map_type=coastal_dem_comparison&basemap=hybrid&contiguous=true&elevation_model=best_available&forecast_year=2060&pathway=rcp45&percentile=p50&refresh=true&return_level=return_level_1&slr_model=kopp_2014

The above link details areas that are deemed to be at risk from sea level rise and coastal flooding from a recognised credible data source. The time frame for this forecast is 2060. Many of the sites currently being promoted/considered for housing development are within these areas.
The Climate Change and Resilient Environment Topic Paper 2021 does not seem to recognise the extent of the potential threat, and neither do the flood risk assessments of each of the sites being promoted/considered. Given that guidance directs that residential properties should have a working lifespan of at least 100 years and that plans to bolster sea and river defences are not included in the evidence base, I do not believe that this has been properly considered and therefore RDC's new local plan will not be fit for purpose until sites included in these flood risk areas are ruled out of future residential development. RDC runs the risk of developing homes which will flood.