Flood plans moving forward

Published: 8 December 2022

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The four-hour session, held at Binstead Community Centre on Monday, was also an opportunity for people to have their say and speak directly to representatives from the Isle of Wight Council, Southern Water, Island Roads and the Environment Agency.

Local member, Councillor Ian Dore, said he was flabbergasted with the turnout.

"It was like full Squadron Parade!," he said.

"The attendance was steady from when the doors opened, right up to when they closed. Yes, we have a report to work off with some solid recommendations, but it’s vital to share the options that are available, so that residents have a broad view of what is possible and what is being considered.

"The engagement on Monday further proved our thoughts, that this session was essential to moving the flood mitigation plan forward. A big salute to all that attended.”

Council leader, Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, also attended the session to hear first-hand how residents in Binstead had suffered at the hands of nature.

She said: "Councillor Dore, supported by James Brewer from the planning office and the other associated agencies, has been spearheading this from July last year, doing an incredible job driving it forward.

"Make no mistake, with so many elements in the mix, it’s a mammoth task. With the other agencies feedback and input from residents, it ensures that nothing is missed moving forward. It was upsetting to hear the stories, but they should know that we will do all we can to help.”

In terms of next steps, the multi-agency team will be spending some time reviewing all of the comments captured at the event which included some extremely useful local intelligence on historic watercourses, land drainage patterns and flooding impacts together with residents’ views on some of the flood mitigation options that were shown.

In light of the views expressed at the drop-in session, the list of flood mitigation options will be further reviewed to ensure that those with the most impact are taken forward. Further details will be provided in the New Year as to the timings of any works taking place.

Councillor Dore added: "I would like to personally thank the residents that fed into the recent flood investigation report and to those who made the effort to come out and air their views.

"It is of genuine benefit and this session helped us garner some local intel that we hadn’t received before. That in turn gives us a little more to consider, before committing the secured funds to specific works.

"All of us in Binstead want immediate results but as most appreciate, it’s very complex and we must get it right, squeezing every penny out of what is available.

"The positive from all this is we are now moving into the next phase, and the drop-in session served a valuable purpose. Thanks again to residents for participating.”