Opposition to homes at 'flood-risk' site

PLANS to build a new doctor's surgery and 40 sheltered housing units in a Sheffield suburb are being opposed by the local parish council.

By The Newsroom

Published 6th Sep 2010, 12:33 BST

Updated 6th Sep 2010, 17:35 BST

Ecclesfield Parish Council has asked Sheffield Council to reject the outline planning application for the development on a site to the rear of Station Road, Chapeltown. Parish council chairman Coun Norman Garratt said the site flooded frequently from the nearby River Blackburn.

Coun Garratt said: “In 2007 this area was completely devastated by floods and it is totally unsuitable for any sort of development because of this.

“It is also too congested for the amount of traffic a surgery, clinic and pharmacy plus 40 housing units would generate right in the middle of Chapeltown."

Planning committee chairman Coun John Bowden said: “To say there is a very low risk of flooding is completely wrong because there has always been a serious flooding problem on this site.”