Ms. L. Giffiths
Cherwell District Council
Planning & Development Services
Bodicote House 
White Post Road
Bodicote
Banbury
OX15 4AA

	

Our ref:	WA/2009/107424/01-L01
Your ref:	09/01528/REM

Date:		22 January 2010

Dear Ms Griffiths

RESERVED MATTERS - STRATEGIC HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE. SOUTHERN SECTION OF THE INTERNAL SPINE ROAD SERVING THE DEVELOPMENT AT SW BICESTER; "KINGSMERE."   
LAND WEST OF BICESTER ADJOINING OXFORD ROAD AND MIDDLETON STONEY ROAD, BICESTER      

Thank you for your consultation which we received on 24 November 2009.  I apologise for the delay in our response.

Environment Agency Position

In the absence of an acceptable proposed layout we object to the grant of reserved matters planning permission and recommend refusal on this basis for the following reasons:
 
Reason: The submitted drainage drawings 1903-D-111 Rev G and 1903-D-112 Rev D indicate that the spine road will be drained using pipes and gulley drains. This is contrary to the approved Design Code dated April 2008 which states that primary streets such as this will include “Verge swales or localised infiltration areas with french drains below”.
 
Although the detail of the surface water drainage system for this phase can be agreed through Condition 12 of the outline planning permission, it is important that it is clear now that an appropriate combination of drainage techniques is achievable within the proposed layout.
 
At this stage we expect to at least receive an indicative drainage layout for the spine road, showing how a combination of the drainage techniques outlined the design code will be implemented within the phase layout. The drainage system for each phase of this development must be designed in the context of the approved drainage calculations and Design Code for the whole development.
 
We suggest that surface water generated on the sections of this phase that run through parkland should be allowed to simply run off over filter strips and onto adjacent land. This approach would be in accordance with the SUDS Management Train which advocates treating and infiltrating surface water as near to its source as possible.
 
If the above issue can be resolved we will be in a position to withdraw our objection to this reserved matters planning application.
 
We expect the main surface water attenuation devices to be constructed and operational prior to the construction of the spine road, so that the development does not increase flood risk during the construction phase.

This proposal is also contrary to policy NRM4 in the South East Plan May 2009.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Ms Michelle Kidd
Planning Liaison Officer

Direct dial 01491 828455
Direct fax 01491 834703
Direct e-mail michelle.kidd@environment-agency.gov.uk

cc Countryside Properties Ltd