In the next few months, the future of Castleford Tigers could change drastically.
They have already taken a massive step forwards to a better and impressive future when Martin Jepson came on board as a part owner and a director.
He has introduced terrific investment which will boost the Tigers’ IMG score in 2024 as will their stadium redevelopment which they have taken a drastic step towards securing planning permission.
This month the Tigers will attend a hearing to try and receive planning permission and they have taken a massive step towards securing permission with the Environment Agency withdrawing their previous objections.
They confirmed in a Wakefield City Council document: “Based on the revised FRA, the Environment Agency is now in a position to remove our previous objections.”
Castleford Tigers given advice
Wakefield Trinity v Castleford Tigers Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com – 18/08/2023 – Rugby League – Betfred Super League Round 22 – Wakefield Trinity v Castleford Tigers – Be Well Support Stadium, Wakefield, England – Castleford s Joe Westerman with the Adam Watene trophy after victory over Wakefield. Wakefield Be Well Support Stadium England
The Environment Agency have also provided some advice to manage any flooding concerns.
This was their main concern when they objected to the planning permission in the past. Thus they have provided advice to manage the issue.
They said: “We do not normally comment on or approve the adequacy of flood emergency response procedures accompanying development proposals, as we do not carry out these roles during a flood. Our involvement with this development during an emergency will be limited to delivering flood warnings to occupants/ users covered by our flood warning network. Planning practice guidance (PPG) states that, in determining whether a development is safe, the ability of residents and users to safely access and exit a building during a design flood and to evacuate before an extreme flood needs to be considered. One of the key considerations to ensure that any new development is safe is whether adequate flood warnings would be available to people using the development.”
They added: “In all circumstances where warning and emergency response is fundamental to managing flood risk, we advise local planning authorities to formally consider the emergency planning and rescue implications of new development in making their decisions. As such, we recommend you refer to ‘Flood risk plans for new development’ and undertake appropriate consultation with your emergency planners
and the emergency services to determine whether the proposals are safe, and in accordance with paragraph 167 of the NPPF and the guiding principles of the PPG.
“We have considered the findings of the FRA in relation to the likely duration, depths, velocities and flood hazard rating against the design flood for the proposal. This indicates that there will be a mix of danger to some people (e.g. the elderly and infirm) and danger for all people (e.g. there will be danger of loss of life for the general public and the emergency services) across the site.
“This means that the site will not be safe for users (including the emergency services) and there will be no safe access or egress during a flood event. The safety of site users is entirely reliant on robust emergency planning and evacuation procedures. We remind you to consult with your emergency planners and emergency services to confirm the adequacy of the evacuation proposals. If they/ you are not satisfied with the emergency planning and evacuation procedures submitted, we recommend that you do not approve planning permission.”
