Application to build flood defences at Bury Grammar School

The application comes as part of an increase in flood defences across the area.

The proposed development at the school will consist of an approximately 130m long low gravity wall and 70m low earth bund around the southern and eastern boundary of the school sports pitches.

This will be to mitigate against potential overtopping and short-circuiting of the main bank defences during extreme flood events.

The wall/bund will act to prevent spill of flood waters from the south-east corner of the fields.

The wall will be located to follow the line of the existing playing field perimeter fence, enabling the boundary fence to be reinstated directly on top of the wall on the existing alignment.

The Environment Agency, in partnership with Bury Council, are designing and implementing a scheme to improve flood protection along the River Irwell, Greater Manchester. The scheme is being delivered in phases, and the first phase was granted planning permission in March 2019.

The wall will comprise precast concrete units, plain finish, with a below ground concrete base and be exposed on both faces. The embankment will comprise sloped earth fill material and be grassed to be in keeping with the surrounding boundary area of the playing fields.

The application says: "Following a major flood event in December 2015, the EA have developed a scheme in order to reduce the risk of flooding in the Radcliffe and Redvales area. This planning application forms part of the wider Flood Risk Management Scheme and will work to provide additional protection to a number of houses and businesses in the area.

"It is considered that once operational, the proposal will not have any significant adverse impacts on the local community or environment. The embankment will be grassed to ensure continuity with neighbouring and adjacent environmental features."