Doug Emails

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Doug Emails

Subject: Re: This and that Date: 18/09/2008 15:09:45 GMT Standard Time From: Michael Child

Reply To:
To:	Doug.Brown@thanet.gov.uk

Doug I think the argument here is that all of the runoff from the car and lorry parks, during a period of heavy rain has to run to somewhere and by gravity. Frankly before southern water had said that the aquifer was essential I had concluded that the only safe solution was not to use if the development was built, however this just isn’t an alternative. So unless the developer owns sufficient land lower than the lowest part of the development with parking and sufficiently close to allow for 1 in 20 pipe gradient I don’t see how the development could be viable. Unless of course you can see something I can’t here and are able to tell me of any viable surface drainage scheme.

The problem I have is that no one I have asked yourself included, has come up with any drainage scheme that is workable, it can’t go into soakaways, it can’t go into Pegwell bay, so where is it going to go?

Now if you tell me of something workable like balancing ponds between the site and Pegwell bay, that’s fine but otherwise it’s just not viable.

Best Michael.

In a message dated 18/09/2008 14:40:47 GMT Standard Time, Doug.Brown@thanet.gov.uk writes:

Michael,

I have copied Simon in to prompt a reply. I don't have the definitive SFRA yet and will let you know as soon as it is in. I believe it will be put on the web site. I think its difficult to argue the scheme is non viable on the basis of the information provided and consultee response. I will put your concerns to the applicants for them to consider. I have also informed the EA of your concerns.

Doug Brown

>>> <MichaelChild@aol.com> 18/09/2008 12:27 >>>

Doug a few thoughts.

I haven't heard anything from Simon Thomas yet.

What were the results of the flood risk assessment in the Pleasurama area?

I am very suspicious of a property company putting forward plans that are

not viable, it suggests that they are not so much interested in a development

that could benefit Thanet and more that they feel that the land would be worth

more with planning consent.

I am concerned that the councillors who will be asked to decide this

decision may be unaware that the plans are not viable and that new plans and a new

planning application would seem to be the only solution ultimately.

I find that the developer didn't even mention surface drainage in their

letter addressing points made at the planning committee meeting to be a matter of

considerable concern, have they said anything about it since?

Best Michael.

In a message dated 9/18/2008 11:14:44 GMT Standard Time,

Doug.Brown@thanet.gov.uk writes:

Michael,

I think it is important to recognise that all of the units have lorry parks

with them, not merely the distribution buildings, the A blocks have more

lorry parks than the X blocks. Moving the units would not therefore help unleess

there were a lorry park seperate from the units which would in my view create

design concerns. As you know I am proposing conditions that require these

matters to be addressed prior to commencement of development, if they can't

comply, they can't start. I will ensure the developers and agencies are aware of

your concerns, and that they are addressed in any proposals should

permission be granted and proposals put forward.

Doug Brown

>>> <MichaelChild@aol.com> 16/09/2008 12:12 >>>

Doug I think the lorry park drainage problem is more fundamental because

the

developer doesn't appear to own any lower level land than that, as the

borehole is immediately down hill from it, I can’t see how the water could

pumped from it as a rain storm during a power cut would mean contamination,

nor

do I see mains drainage would be a viable option, I would imagine that even

discharge into Pegwell bay would require balancing ponds. What I am asking

here

is from an engineering point of view as I can’t see any way that the lorry

parks could be safely drained, situated where they are, do you see any

viable

solution apart from moving them up the hill so they can drain down the hill

into balancing ponds? Surely if the plans are fundamentally wrong they

shouldn’

t be coming to full council yet.

In a message dated 16/09/2008 11:52:33 GMT Standard Time,

Doug.Brown@thanet.gov.uk writes:

Michael,

I didn't deal with Thanet Earth so I have passed your query onto Simon

Thomas. I am requiring drainage details by condition, for clearance by the

EA and

Southern Water and maintenance arrangements through a section 106

agreement.

Still awaiting revised plans on Pleasurama, I have a revised ground floor

plan and level plan, I am requesting final plans so I can share them with

you.

Sorry for the brief reply.

Doug Brown

>>> <MichaelChild@aol.com> 16/09/2008 11:38 >>>

Doug can you answer the following questions about Thanet Earth; is it on

the

source protection zone; was a drainage assessment done; are special

arrangements being made to drain the loading hard standing; will water that

has been

used for irrigation containing nitrates discharge into soakaways; what

arrangements have been made for ground contamination with respect to its

electricity generating plant and associate fuel storage; has the effect of

water

extraction there been assessed with regard to lowering the water table at

Monkton

Nature Reserve and its wildlife pond in particular; will the quality of

the

water extracted for irrigation and food washing be monitored?

Now onto China Gateway, Richard Samuel has assured me that major changes

the plans would mean a new planning application, however I can’t see any

way

that the lorry parks around the X types can conform to the Southern Water

discharge constraints without moving them to the other end of the site. Am

missing something here perhaps I don’t understand something about the

drainage

for the lorry parks if so can you explain? Does the architect intend to

come

with workable surface drainage plans before the application comes to full

council?

Lastly any progress with Pleasurama? What were the results of the flood

and

storm assessment carried out on the councils behalf for this part of the

coast?

Sorry it’s a lot of questions and I know your workload is very heavy.

Best regards Michael

Websites

_http://thanetonline.blogspot.com/_ (http://thanetonline.blogspot.com/)

_http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/_ (http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/)

_http://www.thanetonline.com/_ (http://www.thanetonline.com/)