Yesterday, Sir Alec made representations to North Yorkshire Council's Planning Department on behalf of Tadcaster residents to secure improvements to local flood defences.
In his letter, Sir Alec stated:
"I write to relay the views of my constituents and business owners in Tadcaster who have contacted me in support of the long awaited Tadcaster Flood Alleviation Scheme.
Tadcaster has a long history of flooding. Records indicate serious flooding in 1935 and 1950, which led to the present flood defences being installed in the 1980s. Forty years on, those flood defences have failed, with disastrous consequences in 2000, 2015 and 2022. For too long, promises of renewed flood defences have remained promises and this planning application, which follows extensive work by elected members, residents, businesses, and all agencies involved, represents the final chance to secure flood protection for Tadcaster.
Tadcaster’s history of flooding proves that the existing defences are inadequate and need upgrading. The flood event of 2015 was especially bad as the bridge connecting both sides of the town collapsed, splitting the town in two for over a year, compounded the financial and social strain on resident whose homes has been flooded and business owners who lost stock and trade. For homes by the riverbank, our medical centre, Tadcaster Albion Football Club, Sainsbury’s supermarket, many small businesses on Bridge Street and Commercial Street, and the bus station, which is the only public transport link in the town, flooding has been a frequent event not a once in a generation event.
Improved flood defences are now essential to the economic and social viability of the town.
This application has planning merit. The Environment Agency and their contractors have modified designs following several phases of consultation with the community, including weekly drop-in sessions in the town.
The application includes a list of designated and non-designated heritage assets. Tadcaster has a proud history of commerce, notably as a brewery town that is home to Yorkshire’s oldest brewery and it is of vital importance that the proposed scheme is sympathetic to the town’s heritage, whilst provided flood protection and new amenity space for residents and visitors alike. The local planning authority should consider the use of materials carefully and make every attempt to use those used within the town, including from the local quarry which has provided stone for recent developments in the locality. This will lower the carbon footprint of the scheme and boost local employment.
The environmental impact assessment includes a mitigation hierarchy to be applied throughout the scheme, directly addressing cultural and archaeological values, ecology and biodiversity, landscape and visual elements, water environment and flood risk, noise and vibration, as well as traffic and transport factors.
The biodiversity net gain report establishes that the scheme will deliver a 16.3 per cent net gain for habitat units, 19.1 per cent net gain for hedgerow units and 21 per cent net gain for watercourse units.
Finally, it is indisputable that Tadcaster’s residents and businesses deserve protection after numerous flood events. Whilst it is right that there is debate around matters that can be reserved or conditioned, agencies have worked with the community to reach the point where the final plans for Tadcaster’s Flood Alleviation Scheme have been lodged with the local planning authority for determination. Residents of Tadcaster urge the council to approve the application."
