Concerns about the risk of flooding from the River Ancholme in Brigg have been expressed to the Planning Inspectorate following the recent bad weather that badly affected a number of towns and villages in North Lincolnshire that are close to the Trent and Humber.
Coun Ben Nobbs (pictured), the town's flood warden and chairman of Brigg Town Council's Planning and Environment Committee, has written to the organisation in Bristol which considers planning appeals.
The Inspectorate has still to announce its decision on whether to approve or reject an application for Mill Lane which was the subject of an appeal after North Lincolnshire Council turned down a planning application.
This is to retain change of use of land for the stationing of caravans for residential occupation with associated works to include land raising, hard standing, amenity blocks, fencing and landscaping (set out in 12 plots for occupation by gypsy and traveller families) Plots 1-12, Mill Lane.
Coun Nobbs has told the Inspectorate: "It is noted that your decision in response to the above-mentioned appeal has not yet been determined. Therefore, I am taking the unusual step of asking you to consider this additional letter in the light of the recent devastation that has been experienced by many families throughout the length of the east coast of the UK.
"You ought to be aware that villages in North Lincolnshire have had to be evacuated due to the tidal surge from the River Humber and residents are now facing a massive clean-up operation due to the flooding they have experienced.
"This includes the village of South Ferriby where the lock gates that control the level of the River Ancholme that runs through Brigg, are located; also, Keadby, Burringham. and Winteringham.
"Brigg was extremely fortunate that it did not rain during the tidal surge as it was absolutely impossible for the lock gates to be opened during this period. There is no doubt that the Town would certainly have faced a different scenario had a period of heavy rainfall such as in 2007 and on numerous occasions since, also occurred.
"I trust you will agree that a spread sheet and computer simulations can never accurately predict this level of devastation. Any argument that the risk of such occurrences is low must also surely be discounted as we are now seeing regular reports in the press and in the media of the devastation caused by freak weather conditions.
"The evidence is there for all to see, the impact for those affected is tragic regardless of whether it occurs only once or more frequently; but it is surely time to take into account of the unpredictability of nature."
