Agenda item

This report covers two issues, the first is the draft WaterSpace Study which is currently being finalised for public consultation which the Panel are asked to comment on. The second is an update on the Strategic Flood Management project in Bath, specifically the proposal to focus efforts to secure investment to replace/refurbish Bath’s city water level control gates at Twerton & Pulteney.

Tim Hewitt, Regeneration Team Manager, gave a presentation on the Strategic Flood Project a joint project to prioritise funding bids and develop a business case to replace or refurbish Bath’s water level control gates at Twerton and Pulteney.  He explained there was partnership between BANES and the Environment Agency (EA).  The gates needed investment to avoid future failure putting 500 properties at risk.

He gave a detailed explanation of the different proposals and recommended option 2 as it had the biggest benefit within a cost which could be achieved through grant funding without significant Council support.  It would maintain the current performance of Twerton gate, and enable some improvements to the Pulteney gate.  This option did not preclude further works in the future should funding become available.

Councillor Fiona Darey asked what the timescale for the programme was?  Deborah Steadman (EA) stated that the business case would be next year with a solution in approximately two years, depending on which option there would need to be public engagement and a cost assessment nearer the time.

Councillor Cherry Beath asked about the extent of the aesthetic improvements to Pulteney as part of the work?  Tim Hewitt said that Pulteney Bridge was Grade 1 listed along with the buildings and the Radial Gate could do with some work to help improve the surroundings and the public realm.  He indicated there was the potential for redevelopment of the rugby ground at the same time as large machinery would be needed for the work and combining the two might be sensible.

Councillor Colin Blackburn asked about the gate condition survey results?  Ed Lockington (EA) stated that the results of the condition assessment were not yet available so the exact issues were not yet known.  The results of diving and samples taken to assess the condition would be known by the end of the month.  Dr David Dunlop asked about the funding if the UK was still in Europe. 

Councillor Barry Macrae queried the logic in looking at this when realistically money was tight?  He said the priority was lives not the buildings.  Councillor Fiona Darey followed by asking if the gate failed now could there be an immediate solution?  Ed Lockington (EA) replied that there are contingencies in place and emergency works would require a large crane.  Councillor David Veale said that with tons of water coming down it would seem to be more urgent and followed by talking about Italy and the recent earthquakes where there were so many unknowns?  Ed Lockington responded again that it was a high priority and the EA was looking at the optimum way forward.  With the condition survey results ready at the end of the month we should find out if it was more or less urgent.  Bath had a good level of flood alleviation in place which was why there was no more frequent flooding.  He believed the baseline position was good but further assessment was needed and he acknowledged there were not huge amounts of money so maintenance of the gates was important.

Cerys Humphries (Abbey Flood Group) sought clarification on access to the Pulteney Gate and queried if the EA had access rights across the recreation ground?  Tim Hewitt said there was an opportunity to co-ordinate work with a possible new stadium for Bath rugby if they applied for planning permission.  However there was no link between the two.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien asked about the money from the EA this year but if the work was done in five years could the money be ring-fenced?  Ed Lockington (EA) stated there was an amount of money potentially to support flood risk management from the government.  There was a six year programme and a bidding process.  If the issues were more pressing they could get the money sooner.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien commented that it seemed that the report on the condition of the gates was pivotal to the Panel decision and the Panel needed that information.  The Chair reminded the Panel that they were being asked to provide comments on the project. 

Councillor Fiona Darey stated there was a need for an achievable scheme but if the report came back stating there was imminent danger then immediate work would be needed.  She was disappointed the report on the condition of the gates was not available.  Ed Lockington (EA) took on board the concerns and stated it was their job to manage the risks and assets and they would take action appropriate to the risk.  If there was a greater risk they would move more quickly and perhaps do some interim measures.

The Chair thanked everyone for their comments and stated the Panel was supportive of the progression of option 2 in the proposals for the Twerton and Pulteney gates at a cost of £6 million.

Councillor Barry Macrae moved, seconded by Councillor Lisa O’Brien, option 2 in the proposals for refurbishing the Twerton and Pulteney gates. All members of the Panel were in agreement.

RESOLVED that in respect of the joint projectto prioritise funding bids and a detailed business case to replace/refurbish the Twerton and Pulteney water level control gates, the Panel agreed they supported Option 2.

There followed a presentation by Cleo Newcombe-Jones (River Avon Project Co-ordinator) on the Water Space Study.  She explained that it was a draft report.  She had worked on the report with the Strategic River Group and in partnership with the Environment Agency, Wessex Water and the Canal Trust.  The study gave details of various topics: local authority land ownership but not riparian; mapping.  a survey of live-on board boaters; events like the Festival of Nature; development and regeneration; nature conservation; character areas; an overview of projects; Bath Marina and the caravan park.  She concluded by stating that the key projects for the Strategic River Group would be finalised in March, then an action plan would be agreed with partners.

Councillor Fiona Darey asked about a link between Kensington Meadows and Cleveland Pools?  Cleo Newcombe-Jones reported there was planning permission for a pontoon at Cleveland Pools and that the study supported a proposal for an extended river taxi with extra stops.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien queried the omission of planning applications around Keynsham for a marina and related activities?  Cleo Newcombe-Jones stated that the focus had been on river moorings.  The future potential for a marina in Keynsham was not supported, unless as part of wider proposal to remove land from the Green Belt at north Keynsham.  It was noted that there was limited expansion potential at the existing marinas.

Councillor Cherry Beath asked about affordable housing and moorings?  Cleo Newcombe-Jones explained that living aboard a boat can be a form of lower cost housing, however, it was not a substitute for affordable housing.  Some people living on board boats had stated that if other housing was available that would be more preferable.

Councillor Barry Macrae congratulated Cleo Newcombe-Jones on the detailed and comprehensive report and supported the public consultation and any future liaison and negotiation.  He noted it should be made clear that the principles could also apply to other parts of the district such as the waterways in the Somer Valley.  Cleo responded that some were volunteer projects, some lower cost and some higher. 

Councillor Will Sandry concluded the discussion and said it was a fantastic report and the mapping was really useful along with clarification of funding.  The Panel was informed that the Water Space project had been short-listed for the 2017 National RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) planning excellence awards and the Panel wished their support for this to be minuted.

RESOLVED that members’ comments in respect of the Draft Water Space Study be noted.