Flood risk management in urban areas: Poringland pilot study

Downloads

Download the final report [PDF, 4895 Kb]

Download Appendix 1: Groundwater Drainage Report [PDF, 4641 Kb]

Download Appendix 2: Map of Poringland area showing bore hole locations [PDF, 2844 Kb]

Further information

About the pilot study

The Poringland Integrated Urban Drainage (IUD) Pilot Study aimed to identify the issues that led to specific flooding and drainage incidents and to look for solutions to help reduce the impact for the future. The integrated approach encourages all stakeholders to work together to manage flood risk and to look for long term, holistic solutions.

A willingness to improve on the current drainage practices to ensure we are building for a more sustainable future has been evident throughout the study with strong support to extend this approach to other areas of the District.

The Study also looked at the constraints that cause a reluctance to create more innovative Sustainable urban Drainage systems (SuDs) and how to encourage responsible rainwater management around the home by providing permeable surfacing and water recycling facilities.

Local involvement has raised awareness of how individuals can play their part by emphasising the importance of regular maintenance and by encouraging greater respect for the water environment through sustainable drainage management and water recycling.

The base map

The Base Map has provided an invaluable tool with an overview of drainage infrastructure, drainage problem areas and local geology. This will enable more informed decision-making when looking at addressing existing drainage problems, as well as planning for future development.

Should Poringland and Framingham Earl be identified as a location for future growth the Base Map will identify opportunities where new development might be able to help reduce flood risk elsewhere, and could assist with the development of a Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP).

Groundwater drainage report

The Ground Water Drainage Report produced by Millard Consulting has provided a document to help understand and identify causes of groundwater flooding. The document will advise and inform future development and will form the basis of the proposed Local Supplementary Planning Guidance.

This has led to better understanding by the Local Planning Authority of the need to ensure that surface water drainage is addressed and agreed by all stakeholders at the earliest stages in any planning application and if necessary apply more stringent conditions that are rigorously enforced.

Findings of the report

The findings of the Groundwater Drainage Report suggest that in the Study area infiltration may not be the best option and has provided guidance through the mapping of the geology of the area of how the extensive use of soakaways may contribute to flooding elsewhere in the catchment.

The Pilot Study has provided an open forum enabling stakeholders to work together constructively towards better management of surface water drainage. This partnership has expressed a commitment to extend this approach beyond the timescale of the Study and take forward to other areas.