PLANNING permission has been granted for a storm water outfall near Richmond's Mercury Bridge, despite of concerns that it should have been built downstream of the bridge.
Yorkshire Water wants to position the outfall on the Batts, upstream of the existing one and above the Grade II listed bridge, which was damaged in last year's floods.
Richmondshire District Council planners said they would prefer the top of the 13-metre platform to be grassed rather than stone clad.
Some members of the planning committee were concerned that this siting would cause scouring of the bridge.
Yorkshire Water agreed the best location for the structure was below the bridge, but this would mean extending the sewer under the bridge, causing construction problems.
Scour protection, in the form of boulders, will be installed in front of the outfall to complement that provided by Morrison Construction as part of the bridge repairs.
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