I NOTED with interest the “Doubts on homes plan” letter by Judith Morris (The Press, April 26) and the risk of flooding in the Germany Beck letter from Tom Mitchell, “Flood plain fears” (The Press, April 27).

I attended the planning committee meeting on April 25 when the Germany Beck proposal was unfortunately approved. One speaker said: “There could be a problem with insurance, particularly when the Government might withdraw the subsidy to insurance companies regarding flooding.”

He went on to say that his main concern was for the 655 future purchasers and said the developers had a moral obligation to inform all future purchasers before they signed any documents to obtain flood cover.

If, unfortunately, they had to have a further claim to check that they still had cover without a big increase on their premiums on renewal.

He also said that if the developers were so sure their houses would not flood, there was no reason why they could not give a written guarantee to this effect.

On his closing comments, he asked the planning committee if they could put on a condition attached to their approval on the latter, but was told no.

J Marsh, Fordlands Road, Fulford, York.

 

• SO the council has eventually given the Germany Beck Development the go ahead. May I offer some suggestions?

As the land is part of a flood plain, perhaps we can take advantage of the experience of other parts of the world. The obvious solution is to build all the properties on stilts.

There will need to be certain modifications to the living experience where flotation garages will need to be installed and mooring posts erected for those times when access is restricted.

As well as collecting rates for the properties, the council could consider issuing boating rights licences and fishing licences, although fishing stocks will need to be carefully managed.

Longer-term developments could include linking the flood plain with the Foss to allow direct access to the city centre. These could all be great selling points to prospective house purchasers.

Rich Rafton, Galtres Avenue, York.