§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 6 June 2000,Official Report, columns 197–98W, if he will list the flooding incidents at Jesmond Dene and Ouseburn that have occurred from 1 May to date; how many properties were so affected; and what assessment he has made of the impact the proposed sustainable urban drainage system from Newcastle Great Park would have had on flooding incidents. [126009]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Environment Agency's records indicate that since 1 May 2000 one domestic garage has flooded from the Ouseburn. The Environment Agency is aware of further surface water flooding within the Red House Farm estate and within Brunton Park, Gosforth. This flooding was caused by the drainage systems within these estates being unable to discharge into the Ouseburn when in flood. Although precise numbers are not available, the Environment Agency believes around eight properties on the Red House Farm estate were affected, along with a similar number on the Brunton Park estate.
The Environment Agency believes, based on detailed modelling studies, that the development of the Newcastle Great Park will have no adverse impact in terms of flooding within the Ouseburn catchment. The use of Sustainable Urban Drainage techniques, in the form of large balancing ponds, will maintain water and discharge flow into the Ouseburn at a rate equivalent to the undeveloped site. The design criteria utilised will reduce flows from the development site in extreme 682W rainfall events. The development will also benefit from a sewerage system in which foul sewage and surface water will be dealt with separately.