Report of the Director of Planning, Licensing and Building Control

This report provides a summary of the Council’s approach to slowing water flow and water capture, with a particular focus on nature-based solutions and consideration of Biodiversity Net Gain.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Planning, Licensing and Building Control that provided a summary of the Council’s approach to slowing water flow and water capture, with a particular focus on nature-based solutions and consideration of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).

Key points and themes in the report included:

·         Providing an introduction and background;

·         Information on the outcomes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Task and Finish Report on Integrated Water Management that was presented to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) in May 2023;

·         Describing the draft Integrated Water Management Plan; and

·         Discussion of nature based solutions.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were:

·         There was little or no reference within the report to the canal network, recognising the complexities relating to the diverse ownership;

·         What was the approach to Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS);

·         What was the approach taken to new developments to ensure they were sustainable and how was this monitored and enforced; 

·         The need to communicate to residents the risks of flooding and mitigating actions that could be taken, in particular in regard to paving over green space; and

·         The need for developers to consider water capture and storage.

The Director of Planning, Licensing and Building Control stated that she had welcomed the work of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Task and Finish Report on Integrated Water Management for raising the profile of this important issue. She stated that canals were included in the open space audit and were included in the green and blue infrastructure strategy and action plan. She acknowledged the challenge of waterways and the need to engage with all relevant partners, neighbouring authorities and those beyond Greater Manchester on the issue of waterway management and she made reference to the Greater Manchester Integrated Water Management Plan that was currently subject to consultation.

The Director of Planning, Licensing and Building Control stated that SuDS would be included in Local Plan and stated that it was anticipated that these would be mandatory from 2024. She commented that in anticipation of this, dialogue and work was currently underway locally with developers on this issue and colleagues in the Highways Department had produced guidance for developers.

The Director of Planning, Licensing and Building Control commented that flood zones were mapped across the city and this intelligence informed how all proposed developments were assessed. She commented that the Local Plan would strengthen the control in regard to sustainable development standards, however pending finalisation and adoption of the Local Plan proactive dialogue and conversations were undertaken with developers to push for sustainable buildings, including discussions on water capture and storage. 

The Executive Member for Environment and Transport acknowledged the importance of communications with residents on the issue of flooding and the promotion of actions that residents could take to mitigate risk. She stated that this would be included in the city-wide communication programmes.

Decision

To note the report.

[Councillor Shilton Godwin declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest as she chaired the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Task and Finish Report on Integrated Water Management.]