From David D

Tuesday, 4 October 2016

The application number is. 16/01149/OUT

Interestingly it's not instead of the supermarket idea but in addition.

From Phil M

Tuesday, 4 October 2016

Fingers crossed its a sensible mixed use proposal and it gets the site used.

From Andy M

Tuesday, 4 October 2016

I'm not opposed to appropriate development on the site but there are some puzzling statements in the Flood Risk Assessment seemingly indicating a very relaxed approach to an area that was under water 10 months ago.

The site is initially (and correctly) identified as being in Zone 3a (higher risk of flooding) and mitigation measures include some soakaways, a few drains, angled paths and locating equipment/stores 60 cm above the floor - I'm presuming they haven't seen any photo's of the site on Boxing Day?

And at 6:5:2: 'Peak river flows are anticipated to increase by up to 20% due to climate change. As the site is in Flood Zone 1 the anticipated increase in river flows are not considered to pose any increased risk to the site.'

Err it's, as they state, in 3a and a 20% potential increase in peak river flows is most certainly an issue!

Maybe they'll add some buckets and a mop to the mitigation measures..

From Phil M

Thursday, 6 October 2016

If a supermarket was put on Browns site, it should be seen as an opportunity. Build it on top of car parking (one or 2 layers) and therefore well out of the reach of any floodwater. The town gets loads of car parking and has a guaranteed place to buy groceries should the worst ever happen again.

From Ian M

Thursday, 6 October 2016

Surely the owners of the supermarket will get lots of parking and not the town?

I'd be amazed of they were happy for tourists to fill up their customers parking spaces

From Claire M

Monday, 10 October 2016

A supermarket was and still is a terrible money grabbing idea. It would rip the heart out of the town and take sales away from the independent food shops

From Mike H

Monday, 17 October 2016

What about a swimming pool?

From Pedro de Wit

Tuesday, 18 October 2016

A super market might not be such a bad idea. Most people in Hebden seem to travel to Todmorden to do their weekly shopping. Tod sustains two bigger super markets and the heart hasn't been ripped out of that community! On the contrary, Tod seems to have more 'useful' shops than Hebden.

From Myra James

Tuesday, 18 October 2016

There is already planning permission for a supermarket on the other half of the site. Has been for almost three years. No sign so far that any shop wants to open there.

From John Rhodes

Thursday, 20 October 2016

I note that the Environment Agency (EA) is now opposing this application on the grounds that it falls into a flood risk vulnerability category that is inappropriate to the Flood Zone in which the application site is located.

Their detailed comments refer to the latest flood data which the consultasnts advising the devloper appeaered not to taker into account. Apparently the developer can challenge the flood risk vulnerability category but even if they are successful (which seems highly improbable given the depth of water on the site on Boxing Day 2015) the EA go on to say:

The 2010 modelled flood levels used in the Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) have been superseded by more up to date information. The latest modelled flood levels can be requested by contacting neyorkshire@environment-agency.gov.uk and should be used to determine appropriate flood depths and finished floor levels.

Investigation of historic flooding at the site and surrounding area, including the latest 2015 flood event should be included.

The site, although technically brownfield, has been clear and undeveloped for a number of years. During this time, the Calder Valley has experienced several flood events and the modelled flood information has changed and updated. The FRA should consider how building on this land will impact flood risk on the surrounding area and should consider the requirements for compensatory flood storage.

It is difficult to see how this site is ever going to be built on.

From Kez Armitage

Thursday, 20 October 2016

The interesting thing is that the application for a retail store and five storey hotel was approved in December 2013 (ref 12/01003/FUL ). At this time the flood risk assessment was considered 'reasonable', and there were no grounds for material objection.

It will be three years in December since the application was approved - and approved planning permission normally expires after three years, at which time you have to reapply (unless you've actually started work). If this were the case, presumably the EA's new 'take' on the site would apply.

So the site will either lie dormant for the foreseeable future, or else we'll see a flurry of activity as the developers at least start the development before the December deadline.

Previously

HebWeb Forum: Brown's site March-May 2012

HebWeb Forum: A new supermarket, hotel and 181 parking bays July-Oct 2012