TAMESIDE Council has been dealt a blow in its hopes of installing a new footbridge in Stalybridge.
For the Environment Agency has said it will object to the proposal.
The authority has issued an application to place the construction – which will not carry vehicles – over the River Tame, opposite the junction of Caroline Street and Castle Street.
As well as the new landmark, which will form part of the Stalybridge West development, each end would see green areas and planning, seating and wayfinding signs.
But the Government body has seemingly placed a spanner in the works by issuing notice it will oppose the scheme until a flood risk assessment is completed.
In a letter, its sustainable places planning advisor Holly Jones states: “In the absence of a flood risk assessment (FRA), we object to this application and recommend that planning permission is refused.
“The application site lies within flood zone two and three, which is land defined by the planning practice guidance as having a high probability of flooding.
“The Flood Risk and Coastal Change Planning Practice Guidance states that an FRA must be submitted when development is proposed in such locations.
“An FRA is vital to making informed planning decisions. In its absence, the flood risks posed by the development are unknown. This is sufficient reason for refusing planning permission.”
Tameside Council can overcome the objection by submitting a flood risk assessment that shows putting the bridge in would be safe without increasing risk elsewhere.
But the note adds: “If this cannot be achieved, we are likely to maintain our objection.”
The bridge is the second application associated with the Stalybridge West development, which would transform the town’ centre.
Already, Greater Manchester Pension Fund has submitted plans to redevelop land it owns, with a retail unit, apartments, houses and a ‘woodland edge’ at Market Street, Harrop Street, Chapel Street and Water Street.
However, Tameside Council looks set to be forced to produce extra paperwork to satisfy the Environment Agency.