Planning approval in Exeter
17/04/19
We were pleased to see Exeter City Council recently grant planning approval for the redevelopment of Alphin House. We undertook the engineering work to support a detailed planning application for the conversion and change of use of this former care home for the elderly into age-restricted housing for the over 55’s.
Alphin House is located adjacent to the Alphin Brook and part of the site was known to have flooded in the 1960 flood that affected much of Exeter. As a result, the site was shown as being in the high risk Flood Zone 3. Subsequent improvements to the Alphin Brook mean that the site is no longer at risk of fluvial flooding from the Brook in up to the 1 in 1000 year flood event. We commissioned a topographic survey to check the soffit level of the downstream bridge and compared this level to the latest flood modelling results. This confirmed that there was a 300mm freeboard in the 1 in 1000 year flood event. This work was detailed in a site specific Flood Risk Assessment which confirmed that the site would be safe in the 1 in 100 year flood event including the predicted effects of climate change and wouldn't increase the flood risk to any third parties.
We also prepared a Transport Statement which concluded that the site provides a suitable location for the proposed development where safe and suitable access can be achieved for all users. The TS also demonstrated that there would be no severe impact on the local highway network as required by the NPPF.
As a result, both the Environment Agency and Devon County Council were able to support the proposal and enable Exeter City Council to grant detailed planning permission.
Image reproduced courtesy of ADG Architects