Flood plain study on Uckfield

UCKFIELD has been chosen as the site of a case study into the feasibility of demolishing buildings in town and reinstating the flood plain. It will look at which buildings could be affected and how much the work would cost.

The study is being done by engineering and environmental consultants as part of a project for the National Assembly in Wales to develop a way of assessing flood risk in relation to planning in Wales.

The project is also considering how flood risk can be reduced and one option might be to relocate development from flood risk areas and restore the flood plain.

Project manager is Dr Alan Thompson, head of earth sciences at Symonds Group, East Grinstead, who lives in Uckfield and knew that this possibility was already being considered in the town following former mayor Mike Skinner s comments about 'moving shops up the hill .

Dr Thompson, a member of the Uckfield Flood Action Group, was also responsible for mapping the extent of the October 2000 floods for the Environment Agency and suggested that a case study on Uckfield could be a useful way of examining the issues involved. The National Assembly agreed and the study began in August.

The concept of flood plain restoration, involving part of the Bell Brook industrial estate as well as the lower High Street was put to the Environment Agency by the Uckfield Flood Action Group at the end of a public meeting in Uckfield last November.

At a further public meeting in September, the Environment Agency announced that flood plain restoration was one of four realistic options being considered for Uckfield.

Dr Thompson stressed that the Symonds study was quite separate from, and was not intended to prejudge the outcome of, the Environment Agency s own deliberations.

He told the Sussex Express: 'The concept is a radical departure from traditional engineering solutions but has the advantage of working with natural processes rather than against them. Given concerns about climatic change and increased frequency of flooding this is increasingly being seen as important by the Environment Agency and others.

He said the intention of the case study was to explore the issues that would be raised, and the difficulties that would need to be overcome.

Discussions have been held with representatives of the town council, Chamber of Commerce, Wealden District Council, the Environmment Agency and the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions.