Have your say on plans for Poynton Pool

Cheshire East Council is inviting feedback on plans for Poynton Pool which will improve the site’s resilience against extreme flooding.

Poynton Pool is classed as a reservoir under the Reservoirs Act and regular compulsory inspections are carried out to review its safety and ensure it continues to comply with current reservoir safety standards.

Following the latest inspection, the council is now required to carry out safety improvement works along a stretch of the bank between Poynton Pool and the A523 London Road North.

The works are being consulted on ahead of a planning application being submitted later in the year.

Councillor Nick Mannion, chair of Cheshire East Council’s economy and growth committee, said: “The western side of Poynton Pool has a 900m long bank and footpath and forms an area called a spillway. A spillway is designed so that in the event of extreme flooding, excess water flows over it to control the level of water in the pool.

“However, the last inspection of the pool found that this stretch of the bank is not at a consistent level, and there are parts that are lower. 

“It means that in the event of extreme flooding, water would not flow out of the pool evenly and could damage the bank – leading to an uncontrolled release of water.

“This would lead to extensive flooding and impact people and properties in the local area.

“For Poynton Pool, there is a 1 in 10,000 chance per year of this type of flood happening, but it is of course a situation that no-one wants to see become reality and, following the findings of the latest inspection of the pool, the council is taking action to improve the resilience of the spillway.

“We would like to gather feedback from the local community about how we intend to do this.”

The council’s proposals include raising low points along the bank to ensure that water flowing over it is spread out along the whole length, and not concentrated at a few low spots.

The council is also proposing to widen the footpath to two metres and resurface it with gravel – making it suitable for wheelchair users, pedestrians and cyclists – and to add a low kerb.

While the work is carried out, trees and lower shrubs along the bank will be affected. 

Cllr Mannion added: “The inspection found that existing trees along the bank also pose safety concerns. 

“Flooding could cause trees to fall – increasing the likelihood of further damage to the bank, which would contribute to a further risk of flooding.

“We will do all that we can to keep the removal of trees and shrubs to a minimum, but this cannot be at the cost of safety.

“We are actively exploring where biodiversity can be improved to mitigate for the loss of woodland habitat, such as installing new bat boxes.

“We are also considering where trees could be replanted on council land in the local area, and these sites will be agreed as part of the planning process.”

At least 44 trees will have to be removed as part of the works and a further 37 trees are at risk of removal depending on their root structure and depth and whether they will be affected by the works. These trees will only be removed if it unsafe for them to remain. 

It is intended that the safety improvement works will be completed by the end of 2023.

To comment on these proposals, fill in the online survey on the council website:

online survey 

Alternatively, email: 

consultations@cheshireeasthighways.org

The survey opened on Monday 26 September and comments must be submitted by midnight on Friday, 4 November 2022.