The development control committee of Burnley Council has granted planning permission for the Padiham Flood Risk Management Scheme (FRMS), a comprehensive project aimed at protecting the town from the devastating effects of flooding. The scheme, proposed by the Environment Agency, aims to safeguard 133 homes and the town centre from the threat of flooding after heavy rainfall, a problem that has plagued Padiham in the past.
The FRMS is a direct response to the devastating flooding that occurred in Padiham during Storm Desmond in 2015. The storm, which hit the town in December of that year, caused widespread damage and disruption, affecting 149 properties, including businesses, utilities infrastructure, the Grade II listed Town Hall, emergency services facilities, residential properties, and health and education establishments. It took over two years for the town to fully recover from the disaster, with the Town Hall reopening in January 2018.
The proposed scheme has been designed to reduce the high level of flood risk to properties, businesses, and infrastructure in central Padiham. The project includes the installation of new and raised linear defences along both banks of the River Calder and Green Brook, as well as the construction of flood defence walls, a flood embankment, and parapet strengthening works. Additionally, the scheme involves the removal of an existing footbridge and the installation of a replacement footbridge, as well as the part diversion of two public footbridges.
One of the key features of the scheme is the creation of a breach in the existing flood embankment along the north bank of the River Calder. This will help to ease the build-up of water pressure and reduce the risk of flooding in the town centre. The scheme also includes the installation of a new flood gate at the confluence of the River Calder and Green Brook, which will help to prevent the backflow of water into the town.
Despite the benefits of the scheme, four residents did object to the project, citing concerns about the impact on their gardens and the value of their homes. However, the development control committee approved the project with 12 conditions, paving the way for its implementation.
The Environment Agency has stressed that the FRMS is a vital project that will help to protect the town of Padiham from the threat of flooding. “Padiham has a history of flooding from the River Calder and Green Brook, and the most significant of which was Storm Desmond in 2015,” said an officer’s report. “The storm affected 149 properties through surface water flooding and fluvial flooding from both the River Calder and Green Brook. The Padiham FRMS will seek to reduce the high level of flood risk to properties, businesses, and infrastructure along the River Calder and Green Brook.”
The project is expected to take several months to complete, and the Environment Agency has assured residents that every effort will be made to minimize disruption during the construction phase. Once complete, the FRMS will provide a more effective flood protection system for the town of Padiham, reducing the risk of flooding and protecting homes, businesses, and infrastructure.
The scheme is also expected to have a positive impact on the local economy, as it will help to reduce the risk of flooding and protect businesses and infrastructure. This will help to maintain the town’s economic vitality and ensure that it remains a thriving and attractive place to live and work.
In addition to the benefits of the scheme, the Environment Agency has also emphasized the importance of flood risk management in protecting the town’s natural environment. The scheme will help to reduce the risk of flooding and protect the town’s natural habitats, including the River Calder and Green Brook, which are important ecosystems that support a wide range of plant and animal species.
The FRMS is also expected to have a positive impact on the town’s community, as it will help to reduce the risk of flooding and protect homes and businesses. This will help to maintain the town’s sense of community and ensure that it remains a safe and secure place for residents to live and work.
Overall, the Padiham Flood Risk Management Scheme is a vital project that will help to protect the town of Padiham from the threat of flooding. The scheme has been designed to reduce the high level of flood risk to properties, businesses, and infrastructure in central Padiham, and will provide a more effective flood protection system for the town. With the project now approved, residents can look forward to a safer and more secure future for their community.