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‘Don’t build on flood plain’ plea

From the The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, first published Thursday 26th Jul 2007.

Flooding in Wootton Bassett has fuelled fears over plans to build on a nearby flood reservoir.

Friday's torrential downpours flooded a number of houses in Westbury Park .

In 2005, Westbury Homes were granted outline permission for another housing development, thought to total 14 homes, on land just off Westbury Park.

Residents fought the scheme, saying the area provided a valuable place for floodwater run-off.

Hairdresser Joan Peters, 48, had her home flooded. She said: "I now have no carpets or anything."

Next-door neighbour Adrian Griffiths added: "The water came in the front and back doors.

"I'm disgusted the planning authority allowed that application to be approved.

"I got away quite lightly this time, with just a few inches of water.

"But if they built 14 houses there, next time it could be up to my windows."

Miss Peters, Mr Griffiths and other residents met North Wiltshire MP James Gray who raised the matter with Secretary of State Hilary Benn on Monday.

Mr Gray said: "Residents I spoke to at the weekend were very concerned that outline planning has been given for 14 new houses in that very flood reservoir, and so I asked the Secretary of State for his view on this.

"I have also written to him, outlining the situation and seeking his advice on how the decision by the district council to build new homes on the reservoir might be overturned."

Mr Gray has requested further flood defences from the Environment Agency.

In addition, he has asked Network Rail to investigate a culvert under the line at Wootton Bassett that may have aggravated the flooding.

He asked the county council to ensure road drainage is operating normally.

Town and district councillor Chris Wannell said: "The fact ten houses flooded to a depth of about six inches shows there is still a need for that flood retention reservoir."

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