Flood risk 'not only factor' in housing refusal

A "vociferous" public outcry about flood risks was not the main factor in a decision to refuse plans to build affordable housing close to a river, a council has insisted.

The land at Chelmer Village in Chelmsford, Essex, was earmarked for 55 new flats, but fell down on Tuesday after councillors went against the recommendation of officers two weeks ago.

Chelmsford City Council's planning committee was told of the risks of "urban sprawl" and damage to the area's character.

Sue Dobson, Conservative councillor for Bicknacre and East and West Hanningfield, told the BBC that flooding concerns were "a bit of a moot point", and it was a combination of other infringements that prompted the refusal.

The committee also heard concerns about the proximity of the plans to Grade II listed buildings, protected trees that would need felling, and problems with "certain rules" involving the properties themselves.

Councillor Dobson elaborated: "There were certain shortcomings... regarding back-to-back distances and actual proximity from one flat to another, there are certain rules you have to abide by."

She said "the professionals" had taken the dangers of flooding into account, and she was "the first to recognise" the need for affordable housing.

"The reason the application was put in was on the basis that it was going to be 100% affordable housing," she said.

"However the importance of the green wedge, and the importance of the historic aspects and the protected trees... were deemed to be more important."

The committee made the decision based "all those items combined" rather than the prevalence of one point.

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