Recent rains proved once again that Kew is not a very sensible place to build a house or buy one.
Kew wildlife habitat loss and recent flooding problems were fully predicted years ago.
SSGB (Save Southport Greenbelt) campaigned, since at least 2005, against the destruction of wildlife habitat at flood-prone Kew for housing development. SSGB was greeted with some hostile political and developmental scorn yet found support with Phil Rodwell of SGB website. Phil could also see the absurdity of building on the waterlogged Kew flood plain.
Insurers have previously highlighted the flooding problems here.
https://www.otsnews.co.uk/kews-housing-estate-swamp-fiasco/
In 2012 SSGB was advised that so-called ‘development’ land at Blowick Moss may be ‘uninsurable’ for future homeowners, due to potential flood risk. Campaigners pointed out several Kew areas that already appear on the Environmental Agency (EA) flood maps and one insurer informed us: “Looking at the EA map of your postcode area there are some streets that would seem to be affected from rivers without sea defences if a flood occurred.”
Pictures below show flooding on and around the Kew site this week…
In January 2016 indications of earlier SSGB flooding predictions started to emerge
Some observers suggested that rather than being utilised for flood-prone housing a narrowboat and barge marina, like the one at Scarisbrick, would be more fitting.
https://www.otsnews.co.uk/flooding-fears-at-kew-housing-development-southport-otsnews-tv/
SSGB was even informed by the Environment Agency that with respect to water voles on the Kew Business Park location, their Biodiversity Team has records of this legally-protected species on Fine Jane’s Brook and surrounding areas.
SSGB stated some years ago: “The E.A. advised that they believed the site to have a biodiversity value with some uncommon wetland plant species being recorded. The biodiversity team has also observed feeding stations in the area that were the correct size to mark evidence of water voles. The E.A. also told SSGB that Sefton ecologists are also interested in the site.”
The EA. thanked SSGB for bringing the situation to their attention and assured them that they would do all they can to protect the biodiversity of the site with the powers available to them. The whole Kew Estate fiasco was tarnished from the onset.
Council officials and their political allies failed to listen to valid concerns about the stupidity of building on an old tip site that may slowly leak toxic gasses (for decades) and is constructed on marshland.
Would YOU buy a house on the Kew swamp?
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