Agenda item

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations

That Cabinet:

1. Approve the acquisition of approximately 20.04 acres from land title SYK345249 together with associated costs.

2. Approve the acquisition of approximately 15.12 acres from land title SYK648291 together with associated costs.

3. Approve the acquisition of approximately 0.17 acres from land title SYK229346 together with associated costs.

4. Approve the acquisition of approximately 0.12 acres from land title SYK129461 together with associated costs.

5. Approve the lease of approximately 1.11 acres from land title SYK550557 together with associated costs.

6. Approve the acquisition of approximately 12.02 acres from land title SYK156703

Consideration was given to the report which sought approval to acquire five parcels of land in third party ownership which were required to deliver the Whiston Brook Flood Alleviation Scheme at Whiston and one parcel of land in third party ownership to deliver the Eels Mire Dike Flood Alleviation Scheme at Laughton Common. The Council, acting as Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), had a duty under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 to reduce flood risk to residents of Rotherham. Since 2020 the Council’s Flood Alleviation Team had been developing six priority flood alleviation schemes to a “shovel ready” status and delivering the construction of funded schemes.

Whiston Brook was a tributary of the River Rother and flowed through the centre of Whiston. The brook posed a significant flood risk to the village which had been affected by recuring flood events. Most recently, the village was significantly affected by flooding in October 2023. The severity of these floods was worsened by the additional surface water runoff and the strain on the existing drainage systems within Whiston. The Council was proposing to provide better flood protection to Whiston village. The flood protection was to protect against overflowing riverbanks (fluvial flooding) and overwhelmed drainage systems (pluvial flooding) caused by heavy rainfall. Paragraphs 2.2.1 to 2.2.5 provided details on the land parcels required for the Whiston Brook Flood Alleviation Scheme.

A Flood Alleviation Scheme at Laughton Common, specifically focusing on Eel Mires Dike, was needed to reduce the risk of flooding. Flooding in Laughton Common, which was severely affected in 2019, has caused significant damage and disruption to homes, businesses and infrastructure. The scheme aimed to mitigate this risk by improving flood management measures. Paragraph 2.2.6 of the report provided details on the parcel of land required for this project. There would be additional land acquisitions and leases relating to the Eel Mires Dike Flood Alleviation Scheme, and the Council would bring forward a further report to detail the planned acquisitions for this project. There were over 20 landowners the Council was currently negotiating with at Laughton however there was a need to purchase this critical parcel of land as soon as possible as it was available and could be bought by others which would require the Council to start negotiations with the new landowners and could result in delays and or compulsory purchase orders.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approve the acquisition of approximately 20.04 acres from land title SYK345249 together with associated costs.

2.    Approve the acquisition of approximately 15.12 acres from land title SYK648291 together with associated costs.

3.    Approve the acquisition of approximately 0.17 acres from land title SYK229346 together with associated costs.

4.    Approve the acquisition of approximately 0.12 acres from land title SYK129461 together with associated costs.

5.    Approve the lease of approximately 1.11 acres from land title SYK550557 together with associated costs.

6.    Approve the acquisition of approximately 12.02 acres from land title SYK156703.