A FINAL decision on controversial plans to redevelop Upton Marina with more than 40 new homes has been deferred to a later date due to flooding concerns.
Malvern Hills District Council’s Southern Area development committee opted to delay a judgement on Tingdene Marinas plans to build 45 homes on the site so more tests could be carried out looking into whether the potential new homes could flood.
But despite planning chiefs recommending refusal on a number of grounds, a proposal was put forward by Coun Mike Morgan at a meeting last night (Wednesday) to accept the development who said the plans would be hugely beneficial to Upton.
The proposal for approval was then seconded before Coun Melanie Baker warned the committee they would be approving a new housing site without proper flooding reassurances in place.
She then advised Coun Morgan to amend his proposal of approval to deferral which he then announced after much consideration.
Coun Baker said: “We need to have very robust confidence that this area is not going to flood and at the moment we don’t have that.”
This came after Upton residents told the committee refusing the application would be a ‘slap in the face’ for the town.
Supporters of the application say it is vital for Upton-upon-Severn’s economic future.
Mike Ostick, vice-chairman of the Upton Business Association, said: “The success of this application is of vital importance to Upton.
“Key opportunities will be lost forever if this is rejected.
“The Section 106 agreement proposed for this application offers in the region of £120,000 of funding for additional visitor moorings on the river.
“If this is refused, there is a high probability that the extended moorings, providing much needed visitor availability will never be achieved.
“The “S106 also proposes around £70,000 of funding for an extension to the Pavilion on the town playing field. “This includes more changing and showering facilities and much more. There is no likelihood of these funds being available from elsewhere.
“To refuse this application will be a slap in the face and a brake on its economic recovery.”
Simon Yates chair of planning for Upton Town Council, which has supported the plans, claimed the new homes would not be in danger of flooding.
“The site itself does not flood. The evidence is there and many will remember years ago the actual marina was not flooded. Yes it was difficult to access but the actual marina site was dry.”
As reported previously in the Observer, planning chiefs recommended refusal over the plans because the site fell outside the boundaries of the South Worcestershire Development Plan and a Flood Risk Assessment submitted in support of the development was deemed by the Local Planning Authority to be ‘flawed’.
Upton Rowing Club have said approval of the development could threaten its future existence.
Club bosses said space in front of the boat house, in the proposed scheme, may be insufficient to withdraw and manoeuvre rowing boats.
Club chairman Maurice Stanley said: “We have neither a viable alternative site nor the funds to relocate, so approval of the current proposed planning application risks shutting down this thriving and growing sports club.
“This would be a great loss of local sports and leisure facilities, and particularly would stop the teaching and coaching of children.”
This followed a previous letter from club president Peter Barker stated major concerns.
His letter said: “We have no objection to the proposed scheme in principle, but believe that without appropriate modification it could seriously prejudice our own ability to operate as a rowing club and even threaten our existence altogether.”
