Protection and Prudent Use
of Natural Resources

10.13 Water: Given the pressures on water resources within the region and the importance of water in meeting environmental needs, the Borough Council is keen to promote measures to reduce the demand for water. Schemes which include water conservation measures, such as grey water recycling and water storage mechanisms, will be considered where there is no material conflict with residential amenity, human health or the wider protection of the environment. When considering proposals which may have an adverse impact on water resources and operations, relevant water bodies, the Environment Agency and other specialist sources will be consulted.

10.14 Although a renewable resource, the water supply in the borough is heavily dependent on underground sources known as aquifers. Increased winter rainfall and drier summers associated with climate change, coupled with more stringent environmental requirements, may lead to changes in the availability of water for abstraction during the Plan period. Whilst there are local variations in water supply it is unlikely to be an overriding constraint on development. The Borough Council will continue to liaise with statutory bodies and water companies relating to the overall availability of water within the borough and in the assessment of development proposals particular regard will be made to the plans, guidance and advice that they provide.

10.15 It is recognised that groundwater resources are vital in maintaining the flow of water in rivers, wetlands and public water supply in the borough. Groundwater Source Protection Areas have been defined by the Environment Agency in order to prevent the contamination of groundwater. The polluting of these catchment areas could pose a serious public health risk. In St Edmundsbury there are 16 such areas, mainly in Bury St Edmunds and the north of the borough. Contaminated groundwater is a difficult and expensive problem to resolve. It is therefore essential that development, particularly in these areas, is strictly controlled in order to prevent pollution.

10.16 Flood protection: All built development automatically increases pressure on water systems both on site, in the surrounding area and downstream. It extends the area of impermeable ground and causes increased run-off along with the associated risk of flooding. However, the volume and rate of surface run-off from development sites can be managed through the use of engineering solutions that mimic natural drainage processes, such as retention ponds and wetlands/reed beds.

10.17 The issue of development and flood risk is particularly relevant in St Edmundsbury given that the borough’s two towns and many villages are located in river valleys. While the average flow of the watercourses in the borough is low, previous experience has demonstrated that extreme weather conditions have the potential to cause damage through flooding. The Borough Council will consult the Environment Agency on applications on sites considered to be potentially at risk from flooding, reduce the storage capacity of the floodplain or impede flood flows. Where development is likely to result in increased surface water run-off and flooding, suitable flood mitigation or alleviation measures must be included to overcome the flood risk.

10.18 Land: The majority of farmland in the borough is either Grade 2 or 3. To implement the Development Strategy of this Plan some development on Grade 2 and 3a agricultural land will be necessary. Where soil or agricultural quality is a consideration, advice will be sought from DEFRA and other relevant bodies.

10.19 Contamination of land is an important issue in the use of previously developed land. Removing contamination through the development process helps reduce the take-up of greenfield sites and also diminishes the threats posed by contamination to health, safety and the environment. Developers of land where contamination is known or suspected will be required to undertake site investigations, the results of which, together with a scheme of remediation which conforms with the appropriate codes of practice, must be submitted to the Borough Council for approval. Advice will be sought from the Environment Agency and other relevant statutory bodies on issues of contamination.

POLICY NE4: NATURAL RESOURCES

Development will be permitted only where:

a) The proposal will not have negative impact on:

i) ground and surface water;
ii) the flood storage capacity of the floodplain; and
iii) the flow of floodwater, including the alignment and stability of existing watercourses; and/or

b) The proposal will not:

i) increase the risk to life and property arising from flooding;
ii) prevent the maintenance of a watercourse channel; or
iii) result in the irreversible loss of best and most versatile agricultural land (grades 1, 2 and 3a), except where development is the subject of a specific proposal in the Local Plan or it can be demonstrated that there are no suitable alternative sites on lower grade land.

The local planning authority will impose conditions, or make use of legal obligations to secure the following:
1) Flood mitigation, alleviation measures and/or Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), including the protection and maintenance of existing watercourses and flood plains; and
2) Remedial measures and/or monitoring processes.

The local planning authority will require all development proposals in flood risk areas to be accompanied by a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) in line with current planning guidance and any subsequent replacement Supplementary Planning Document.