Following the dramatic rise in extreme weather flooding incidents in the UK over the last 5 years and predictions that these incidents will continue to increase, it is my opinion that it would be highly irresponsible of Thanet Council and building company Cardy, not to have an independent Flood Risk Assessment carried out on the site and the development plans and implement any advice arising from this assessment before building works commence this spring.
I have suggest this course of action on three separate occasions between 2012 -14 only to have my proposals rejected or voted down by senior council officers or politicians. I am also extremely surprised that Thanet's Labour Cabinet who negotiated the Pleasurama deal with Cardy less than a year ago did not insist on a flood risk assessment being carried out as a condition of signing the new development agreement.
If I had a spare £450,000 or so to spend on property, I would not touch a Pleasurama flat with a barge pole unless there had been a full Flood Risk Assessment with any recommended actions implemented. I suspect that most other people would steer clear of buying flats there too without the reassurances a flood risk assessment and resilience and resistance works would offer. If these flats are built without a risk assessment and if property is damaged and people injured or worse, then Thanet Council and Cardy could possibly be held to have been negligent and could be liable for damages. That would mean we the tax payers would, once again, have to pick up the bill for the incompetence of TDC. But putting aside the financial issues I believe that there is an overwhelming moral case for TDC and Cardy to secure and act on a Flood Risk Assessment before building on the site commences this spring. Surely the health and well being of people living and working at this development comes before profit?
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