Key upgrades to Taunton’s flood defences are set to proceed following the securing of funding from local housing developments. The funding, totaling up to £860,000, will allow the completion of detailed designs for the Taunton strategic flood alleviation improvements scheme (TSFAIS) and bring the project a step closer to implementation. This scheme aims to reduce flood risk in Taunton town centre, safeguarding over 1,300 residential and commercial properties.
The Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) confirmed in March that the strategic flood alleviation project would be adjusted to ensure protection for essential brownfield development sites, including the former Poundstretcher site on A3027 Bridge Street, slated for 50 new flats. The allocated funds from local housing developments under the community infrastructure levy (CIL) will facilitate the finalization of the detailed designs, advancing the project towards physical delivery.
The planned upgrades will specifically target the protection of existing properties and development sites between Clarence Street and the Town Bridge, offering positive implications for the recently completed Coal Orchard regeneration and the adjacent Firepool site. With an anticipated reduction in flood risk for 508 dwellings and prevention of flooding for an additional 224 properties, the project will also safeguard critical infrastructure such as arterial roads, the town’s police station, the BT exchange, North Town Primary School, and various care facilities, including the Riverain Lodge complex.
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Furthermore, improvements along the River Tone stretch can be executed under permitted development, subject to the necessary licenses from the Environment Agency and Natural England.
At a recent meeting in Taunton, the council’s planning and transport policy sub-committee briefly discussed the allocation of additional CIL funding. Ann Rhodes, the planning officer, highlighted the use of external funding for the construction element and emphasized the need for CIL funding to finalize the detailed design work.
Following the formal approval of the outline design work in January, the council and EA engaged in discussions with the appointed contractor, Kier, to mitigate disruptions to businesses and the public during the scheme’s implementation.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and digital, sought clarification on the alignment of the flood prevention work with the newly-adopted Taunton waterways strategy, eliciting a response from Jenny Clifford, the council’s Taunton garden town implementation manager, confirming the strategy’s integration of various strategic flood projects.
The sub-committee unanimously approved the additional CIL funding after a brief discussion.
Updates on the TSFAIS project are expected to be presented at the upcoming SRA board meeting in early-June in Bridgwater.