brentwood.gov.uk

I am writing to you as a site has been allocated for housing redevelopment in the draft Local Plan which is near to our property and which could have a major adverse affect on several houses in Worrin Road due to significantly increased flood risk. Please note that in June 2016 five properties in Worrin Road (house numbers identified) were badly flooded as a result of a nearby stream bursting its banks due to heavy rain. Our house was under 15 inches of water and we were rehoused for 8 months whist the property was repaired and made habitable. This stream has a history of bursting its banks. It flows along the south-eastern boundary of the old Blood Bank site in Crescent Drive, Shenfield then splits in two. Firstly an open stream flows north east and then under the properties in Worrin Road and secondly a large culvert passes to the north under the old Blood Bank site. The Blood Bank site has been identified as site Ref 186 in Appendix A of the draft Local Plan as suitable for redevelopment with 55 houses. We are anxious to ensure that any development of this site does not allow for any surface water to drain into this stream as any additional water would increase the flood risk dramatically. Ideally any new surface drainage from the redevelopment of old Blood Bank site should discharge into the large underground culvert that passes underneath the site. Our neighbours and us are always on flood watch whenever there is heavy rain as the existing drainage system that exists does not work properly. There is a grille at the entrance to he culvert where the stream goes underground and we have had to unblock it dozens of times over the last 18 months. The drainage system in this area is not fit for purpose and any extra water put into this system as a result of redeveloping this site is highly likely to cause us to be flooded again. Please note that Flood Investigation Engineer & Watercourse Regulation Engineer, at Essex CC are both familiar with the flood in 2016 and the ongoing flood risk which we face. We do not oppose the allocation of this site for redevelopment in itself but thought that you should be made aware of the flood history and the ongoing flood risk in this area. Hopefully you will notify us of any planning applications which are submitted for the redevelopment of this site in due course. We hope that you will take on board our serious concerns and we look forward to hearing from you in the near future. We will be happy to show you the stream, grille and culverts in question and we have up to date plans provided by Essex CC should you wish to see them.