Residents meet to discuss flood fears

Apr 24 2008 Report by Alastair McNeill

A FLOOD risk assessment for the area adjoining the new Uddingston Grammar site is being sought by residents living there.

Construction work on the £18.1m project is well advanced and the school is expected to open in August.

The school has been built on a floodplain, and since the plans were submitted in 2005 residents in nearby Knowehead have expressed concerns over flooding.

SEPA objected to plans last year over the absence of a flood risk assessment in the plans.

However, the environmental watchdog withdrew its objections in February this year.

Developers inspired have insisted that the school building will not be affected by flooding “even in event of a one-in-a-hundred-year flood.”

However, a meeting is to be held in Uddingston Community Centre this Sunday at 7pm, for residents living nearby to air their concerns.

Knowehead resident Robert French said this week: “inspirED have been very slow at bringing information forward.

“However, we do know that the bund is being brought closer to the houses.

“The school’s hard surface will also retain water.

“That means that there is less space for surface water to go — and we need to know where that water will go.”

Uddingston councillor Jim McGuigan said a risk assessment was vital to give people living near the school peace of mind.

“I think it’s important that they have their say.

“They may well be protected from water coming in from the Clyde, but they are not necessarily protected from surface water coming down into the estate from the other side.

“Knowehead is the lowest lying area of Uddingston and is particularly vulnerable.

“The new school — built on a concrete platform to lift it 6ft above the height of the original plan — will soon be completed and we accept that.

“However, it is vital that we know just what the flooding risk is for those who live next door.”

SNP Central Scotland MSP Alex Neil said this week it was essential that a risk assessment was carried out for nearby residents.

He added: “Flood protection has been provided for the school, but flood protection for the houses nearby is just as important.”

A SEPA spokeswoman said this week: “We objected to plans for Uddingston Grammar School because a flood risk assessment and details of proposed flood prevention structures were required from the developers.

“This information was subsequently provided and was considered by SEPA to be satisfactory. Therefore, SEPA withdrew its objection in February this year.”

A South Lanarkshire Council spokeswoman said this week: “The council are currently processing an application which seeks to amend the layout of the flood prevention bund and to make minor adjustments to the arrangement of sports pitches.

“Some alterations were recently made to the plans and, in order to ensure consultation with the public, a set of these drawings were deposited in Uddingston Library.

“Neighbours and objectors to the current application were also advised by the council about these changes in writing.”

The spokeswoman added that the contractors have “not notified the council of any alteration to the programme of delivery for Uddingston Grammar.”

FLOODING FEARS: residents adjacent to the new Uddingston Grammar site are seeking a flood risk assessment to cover their homes.