Big Issue: Gloucester City has worked tirelessly on flood defence

Gloucester City AFC planning consultant Paul Duncliffe explains why he believes The Tigers need a new home:

SINCE the devastating floods of 2007, Gloucester City Football Club has worked tirelessly to bring a scheme forward which would provide The Tigers with a new stadium whilst at the same time protecting 125 local residents and businesses from flooding in the Hempsted area.

Due to budgetary constraints, it was made clear at an early stage in the process that the Environment Agency did not have the funds available to build a flood defence to protect this area of the city.

It has therefore been necessary for GCFC to fund all of the work to bring this important flood defence forward.

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Without this flood defence, this area of the city remains at risk from flooding.

The proposed development has been formulated over the last four years, starting with the appointment of JBA Consulting (GCFC's Flood Risk Consultants) in December 2010.

JBA are a widely respected firm of Flood Risk Consultants and have been involved with this project at every stage of the process.

The project history is as follows: JBA appointed in December 2008 to undertake an Option Scoping Study which involved full consultation and liason with the Environment Agency.

In July 2009, JBA proceeded to prepare an Option Appraisal Study again in full consultation and liason with the Environment Agency.

In February 2010, a Feasibility Scheme was produced which was considered by the cross party Football Task and Finish Group which had been established by Gloucester City Council.

In March 2010, the Environment Agency agreed the flood modelling approach and clarified the requirements or the Flood Risk Assessment Report.

Between March 2010 and October 2010, further refinement was undertaken again in full consultation with the Environment Agency and the Football Task and Finish Group.

By this stage, real progress had been made and GCFC had identified a flood defence scheme, the alignment of which had been agreed by the Environment Agency.

At all stages, GCFC have worked closely with Officers of Gloucester City Council, Gloucestershire County Council and the Environment Agency to bring forward a comprehensive solution.

To date, GCFC have spent in excess of £250,000 on the preparation of the various flood risk reports, other reports and design requirements for the planning application.

The flood defence involves upgrading 120 metres of existing flood defence (which was breached in 2007) along the River Severn between heights of 0.55 metres and 0.75 metres and the construction of an earth embankment of an average height of about 2.1 metres and 640 metres long.

The scheme also involves the protection of Gloucester's Household Recycling Centre which is an essential facility serving the residents of Gloucester city.

The flood defence scheme will cost approximately £2million to build. It will protect 125 local residents and businesses who live or work in the Hempsted area of Gloucester. It will also ensure that The Tigers have a new stadium that will not flood.