The application is within Torbay Public Access site and can be seen at the following link:

www.torbay.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_

searchresults.aspx

Changes to the site include the creation of a ‘licenced family orientated restaurant with a storm porch on the north east elevation and a first floor balcony running the length of the noth east elevation and returning around the south east with associated structural supports beneath the balcony.'

Available to the public for comment on the Torbay Council site, the

application is supported by documents which give more information

about the development proposals at the following link:

www.torbay.gov.uk/planimage/PlanApp/jsp/RDgetAllAppDocs.jsp?

PlanningApplicationNumber=P/2008/0645

The Flood Risk Assessment carried out by Pell Frischmann appointed by Nivana Properties Ltd, states in their introduction that; ‘This document recognises the role of water in the landscape and the need to provide solutions that create biodiversity and enhance the urban environment.

It further recognises the need for integration of sustainable drainage and landscaping into overall site content and layout.'

Conclusions of the assessment carried out state that there no major flood risk to the property and nothing that climate change, warnings cannot be delt with, whilst the building itself offering no extra risk to flooding of the surrounding area:

•  The proposed basement as shown in Appedix B will incorporate a beer cellar and plant room as well as staff toilets and changing facilities.

There will be no public access to the basement and it will begenerally unoccupied.

•  Access to the basement would be at a level no lower than that recommended in Section 4.1.1. There will therefore be no significant risk to users in the basement. It is also recommended that flood proof

design is incorporated in the basement so that any potential damage is minimised should they become flooded to a low level.

•  since the entire area already consists of impermeable surfaces, the proposal will result in no increase in surfaced water runoff rates from the site.

•  No compensatory floodwater storage would be required since the area is only affected by flooding from tidal sources.'

Local residents concerned about local flooding in this area supplied us with these photos from last summer. The pictures were taken at a time corresponding to the amount of rainfall experienced in one day rather than traditional high tides which can also cause water to cover the Strand.

Also of concern to residents is the fact that flooding brings up a lot of sewage and water does get into low-lying parts of buildings on the Strand.

One local resident even suggested a possible solution to Torbay Council to conter a regular problem:

I have a simple idea that may stop this happening, a channel through the pavement by the statue with a grid on top of it so it is level for pedestrians, and the channel could discharge straight into the harbour, stopping these floods that regularly occur from ever getting more than up to the pavement height.

This stretch of road right at the lowest point in Brixham, for rainwater and for the drains.

The combination of the 2, like this morning, is flooding businesses on ground floor level inside.

A Technical Engineer from Torbay Highways & Engineering replied:

I refer to your email and photographs sent on 20th August relating to the flooding that was experienced at

The Strand in Brixham on the morning of 20th August. As you have rightly pointed out the flooding can be

attributed to the sewerage system being overwhelmed and is indicative of the drains bubbling and the

manhole cover surcharging sewage onto the road. Our highway drainage apparatus connects to the

sewerage system and would have been ineffective if there was no capacity within the sewerage system

which is the responsibility of South West Water. I would recommend making contact with South West Water

to see if any work or maintenance can be carried out to lessen the likelihood of a reoccurrence.

I agree with your comments regarding the provision of a means to allow the flood water into the harbour

and therefore protect the properties during these extreme storm events. As opposed to a grid which can

become blocked a more practical solution would be to lower the footpath for a narrow section to the same

level as the road and have it fall towards the harbour. This however is subject to the agreement of the

Harbours department who are responsible for this area of foot path and also whether funding for this work

would be available. The allocation of funding for flood prevention works for this financial year has already

been allocated and as such I can arrange for it to be included in next years list of priorities which will be assessed by the 'Flood Steering Group'. All schemes on this list are then weighed against each other to

determine their priority and then funding would be allocated accordingly to the highest priority schemes.

The Environmental Protection Agency Flood Map shows on their detailed map that the area in question is

at great risk of flooding by the sea and/or river currently without greater provision added to the drainage

system already in place. To view map through the Environmental Protection Agency website:

maps.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby/wiybyController?topic=floodmap&ep=map&lang

=_e&x=292450.0&y=55910.0&scale=5&layerGroups=1,&layerGroupToQuery=1&location=Brixham,

%20Torbay

Perhaps everyone involved needs to take a closer look at these plans, and consider all possible impacts

of creating a large eating and drinking establishment (plans show approx 300 seating indoors and 100

outdoors with new build extending the building right up to the Old Fish Market canopy) on this area?

If you have any comments or ideas on this issue then send them direct to Torbay Council, or discuss

them with Brixham Town Councillors or send us an email and we'll enter them into Your Emails... info@brixhamnews.com