UPDATE: Immediate concerns over pollution have prompted the Environment Agency (EA) to halt proposed basement construction plans in Ironbridge Gorge. The plans, put forward by developers Rolf Behrsing and Dominika Bienkowska, would disturb a property located at Lincoln Hill, built on a former waste landfill tip above a vulnerable aquifer.
The EA has raised alarms about the potential for pollutants to be displaced into the aquifer during construction. An EA official stated, “The key difference between the existing permission and the current application would appear to be the inclusion of a basement.” The site is situated on an area filled with quarry materials, raising serious contamination concerns related to metals and hydrocarbons.
Documents revealed on the Telford & Wrekin Council planning portal indicate that the EA has recommended further investigations due to the area’s sensitive environmental conditions. “Controlled waters are particularly sensitive in this location,” the EA emphasized, underscoring the risks associated with developing on a secondary A aquifer.
In a significant twist, the application was ultimately withdrawn after the council refused to grant an extension for additional information, despite discussions indicating that more time could have resolved outstanding issues. Planning officials remarked that the applicant had opportunities to address concerns earlier but failed to engage in pre-application advice.
Agent Lucas Johnson of the Bridgnorth-based Johnson Design Partnership expressed disappointment at the council’s decision, stating, “It is unfortunate that an extension of time could not be granted, as we would have been able to provide the required information within a reasonably short timeframe.”
The applicants have signaled intentions to resubmit their plans, seeking clarity from the planning department on the necessary documentation to avoid further complications. This developing situation highlights the ongoing tension between environmental protection and development ambitions in sensitive areas.
As the community awaits the next steps, the implications of this decision resonate deeply, emphasizing the need for thorough environmental assessments in future construction plans. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
