WHY so much alarm at the ASDA bid? Should we not be more concerned over 1st East's development plans?I read with great interest the objections by 1st East regeneration company to the possible redevelopment of the ASDA site in particular the flooding aspect.

WHY so much alarm at the ASDA bid? Should we not be more concerned over 1st East's development plans?

I read with great interest the objections by 1st East regeneration company to the possible redevelopment of the ASDA site in particular the flooding aspect.

I must admit I have not seen the plans but on redeveloping the existing buildings I see very little chance of causing flooding as the floor plan will not change and certainly a mezzanine floor will not affect it, as for prejudicing the development of the last phase of the bascule bridge - what development? This has now been idle for so long that people and probably 1st East have forgotten what the plans were.

What does 1st East know about flooding anyhow? They are preparing a development at the old Oswold's boat yard in Oulton Broad (incorporating the library area) that apart from looking completely out of place for the area and causing highly increased traffic congestion would cause major flooding to the central part of Bridge Road and also the main area of the broads.

They are planning to build out into Lake Lothing thus displacing the water, build extensively on the flood plain - which naturally floods at high tides covering the old boatyard (acceptable for a boatyard) even to the extent that the water almost levels with the lock walls and top of the lock gates at Mutford Lock.

Any further rise in the water level will flood over the lock gates into the freshwater side of the Broads and also the central part of Bridge Road including the sewage pumping station. I have seen nothing in their plans to raise the heights of the lock walls and gates to overcome this problem.

You can go on and add to this their proposals for the Brooke peninsula with 20-story building again on waterside land that is natural floodplain.

The Campus is far more likely to cause flooding than the ASDA development.

I know that 1st East are government supported to provide homes in the area but when they have no regard for well established homes - neither have the government when they think of letting the sea flood the Broads in Norfolk as well - it makes you wonder what they are going to come up with next.

IVAN GREEN

Bridge Road

Oulton Broad