RESIDENTS have had their say on plans for a 200-house development near the River Irwell in Radcliffe after seeing the scheme for the first time.

Dozens of members of the public viewed plans for the site off York Street, which were made available at a public engagement event held at Bury Sports Club on Thursday night.

Developers Countrywide Properties confirmed that their scheme allows for around 200 two to four-bedroomed properties consisting of mews, semi-detached and detached.

Access roads would be from two points in York Street.

Countrywide said that proposals for 153 properties were granted implementable consent in October 2015. They have been working with the Environment Agency to find a solution that works alongside ongoing plans for a flood defence scheme in Radcliffe and Redvales.

Plans unveiled at the public exhibition included a raised residential platform, home to 200 houses, with additional banking to the northern and eastern sections.

A large section of land would be given over as a flood plain, to contribute to the storage space available for flood water during high river flows.

Development manager Kate Howe, of Pin Property Consultancy, said: “The developer had been given implementable consent.

“Through our discussions with the Environment Agency and Bury Council, it was clear that there was a requirement for other flood management measures.

“We wanted to take a partnership approach.

“We have worked with the Environment Agency to revise our plans to assist them in achieving their flood strategy.

“We have had to increase the housing numbers to help mitigate the loss of value from sacrificing the employment land for flood plain.

“Overall, we hope that the collection of measures put forward assist local residents in future-proofing against further flood related issues.”

To enable the Environment Agency’s flood defence scheme to be put in place, the bridge in Dumers Lane would need to be modified so that it formed one arch rather than the existing three, to allow for a larger volume of water to pass underneath.

In order to carry out this work, the Environment Agency said they would need to shut the entire bridge for a shorter period of time, or limit traffic to one lane rather than the existing two for a longer period of time.

Senior flood risk management advisor Andrew Cameron said: “We are pleased to be able to work with Pin Properties so that this development will help to realise our ambition to reduce flood risk in Radcliffe and Redvales.”

Kathryn Willis, who attended the exhibition, said: “We do not have concerns about the development itself. But we are concerned about making the bridge bigger.

“To completely close the bridge for six months, or to have traffic management, will cause chaos. It would make a simple journey to Asda a 20 minute journey.”

A resident of York Street, who did not want to be named, said her main concern was the traffic that 200 homes would generate. She was further concerned about the prospect of work on the bridge.

The scheme promises improved cycle and pedestrian routes from York Street to Bury Road, along the Goyt.

Each property allows for two car parking spaces, as well as a garden to the front and rear.

Resident Joyce Walkden said: “It seems to me that, yes, they are working with Bury Council and the Environment Agency, and they have given permission to build an implementable scheme but I am really worried about the time-scales because our flood defences are due to go before planning in November, with the view for building to start in May next year.

“If our defences are not in in time, we will be more vulnerable than ever before.

“Riverside estate, in terms of flooding, will be like a tortoise without a shell.

“What does reassure me is that they are working with the Environment Agency.

“Raising these homes by two metres will protect them from flood. My concern is the increased risk to properties that did not have the benefit of being built on a raised plain before.”