A businesswoman has told town councillors that a proposed flood management scheme which looks set to close Appleby’s Broad Close car park for 20 months could lead to a £1 million loss of revenue.
Jan MacRae, director of One Leisure Ltd and Two Leisure Ltd, has written a letter which outlines fears that their current accommodation turnover, which is in excess of £250,000 per year (not including any turnover from the Crown and Cushion), was in severe jeopardy of being £0 once the scheme commences.
“Therefore, if the project takes two years, we are looking at compensation over three to four years’ lost business,” she said.
And given the estimated start date of the Environment Agency pumping plant proposal, they must plan to reduce their staffing levels, she said.
At present, 25 staff members are employed on permanent contracts, all locals, but jobs will be lost as pub opening hours are potentially reduced.
A survey had been carried out which found 85 per cent of customers rely on parking being available within the town.
“In the week of the survey, 100 per cent of our residents required overnight parking and we always direct them to Broad Close car park. If no alternative parking is available, we will have to cease taking bookings,” said Ms MacRae.
At a meeting of Appleby Town Council on Wednesday, deputy mayor Martin Stephenson said several councillors attended a meeting with the Environment Agency.
Mr Stephenson was chairing the meeting in the absence of mayor Gareth Hayes, who had tendered his resignation.
“There is a lot of information which has not gone out yet, because they are still engineering the project to make sure that there is the least disruption possible and they are due to do some public engagement sessions to let people know what is going to happen, and that is going to be in the near future.
“It is a very complicated engineering project, but it will give protection to about 70 properties in the Chapel Street, Holme Street and Low Wiend area of the town and we are most concerned that this work is undertaken in order to help project those people from having the distress from the flooding that took place and has taken place over a number of years, but especially Storm Desmond,” said Mr Stephenson.
He added: “Anybody who was there at the time and had seen the distress caused to the residents would very much know that any help that can be given to them should be given to them.”
Town clerk Sue Gilbertson said: “We hope we will have a public display from the 1st March downstairs in the exhibition room next to the tourist information centre.”
That will include details of the project scheme, timetable, and all the traffic management plans and all the dates when closures will be in place.
Also, in the week beginning 6th March, the town council is organising for the Environment Agency to come back with officers for a drop-in session.
Probably it will be an afternoon, again downstairs in the exhibition room where people will be able to come in and ask questions followed by an open public meeting at 5pm, and it is likely to be held in the public hall. While Ms Gilbertson was outlining that she was also in the process of collating all the questions and concerns which the council had received from business owners and residents, there was an interruption to proceedings in the council chamber.
Appleby resident Oliver Swann said he sent a letter to all who sit on the town council’s planning committee stating that if it does not change its position on not objecting to the Environment Agency scheme and ask them to go back to re-planning and public consultation, then a code of conduct complaint will be made to Eden Council.
He added: “I understand that Jan MacRae has emailed each of you as well, outlining the losses that she will incur, which are in excess of £1 million.”
Ms Gilbertson said: “We will be pulling together a comprehensive question and answer, which will address all of the issues which are being raised.”
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We continue to work with partners to help deliver the Appleby flood risk management scheme.
“This scheme will better protect 64 properties and businesses.
“We are working to accommodate the needs of businesses, residents and visitors to the town where we can, and look to reduce periods of disruption, the reduction in parking and durations of traffic management.
“Following last week’s meeting with Appleby Town Council we are planning further engagement with the partners, and the community.”
