Fears over flooding in Bangor

Feb 3 2010

Dickies boatyard, Bangor

THERE have been fears expressed about the risk of flooding in Bangor after councillors again discussed the potential development at Dickies Boatyard.

Watkin Jones and Son bought the boatyard from owner Peter Dickie in October 2007 and the applications will see all current buildings on the site in the Garth area of the city knocked down and the creation of new access for vehicles, as well as the 72 "residential units".

At a meeting of the city council’s planning and amenities committee last week, councillors said they still had concerns about the site.

Cllr Les Day said: "I am aware of some reluctance in the Garth area to accept the plans particularly with water concerns.

"It’s worrying because across the road from Dickies, the Crosville site was turned down because it was too close to the water."

Cllr Eddie Dogan said: "The most dangerous part of Bangor with possible flooding is Hirael Bay when the tide comes in and there was a plan in the 1970s to build a breakwater from Dickies to Penrhyn Quay to protect the area but this was scuppered by Arfon councillors.

"This is the main part of Bangor which is most vulnerable to flooding."

Town clerk Gwyn Hughes said he acknowledged the councillors’ concerns and the developers were carrying out the necessary flood risk assessments.

"It is a fair point about the boatyard being close to the water and it’s susceptible to flooding," he said.

"They (Watkin Jones) would have to submit the plans to the Environment Agency Wales who will make a recommendation based on scientific facts.

"There’s been problems with flooding all over the UK recently including here in Gwynedd at Twyn and any decision will not have been taken lightly."

Bangor was last hit by flooding in October 2004 when heavy rain and high tides in the bay made the river Adda’s banks swell and worst-hit in the city were the Coed Mawr and Foxlands areas, which saw families’ homes wrecked in a few hours.

Cllr Kath Thomas said she was still concerned about the exit from the new development onto Garth Road.

Mr Hughes added: "The plan is to widen Garth Road up to its entrance to accommodate the traffic flow."

In Watkin Jones’ Design and Access Statement report submitted to Gwynedd Council, the developers stated that consultants Richard Broun Associates held "several detailed meetings with Environment Agency Wales to establish the C2 line, flood risk assessment and construction levels and the site area being developed at this time is not considered to be at risk from flooding".

Councillors agreed to pass the application with conditions relating to the concerns expressed by the committee.

Dickies Boatyard has stood on the edge of the Menai Strait in Bangor since 1924 and is a landmark of the city.

The boatyard, known around the world, is now set to relocate to the far side of the bay in Bangor to Port Penrhyn.

Since Peter Dickie joined the company in 1971, Dickies dealerships have opened up in Brighton, Pwllheli, Southampton, Newcastle, Plymouth and Swansea and another branch in Gibraltar closed.