Flood prevention scheme raises concerns. (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Flood prevention scheme raises concerns.

NEW measures aimed at preventing the planned Butlers Court development in Lechlade from causing flooding problems have failed to impress town councillors.

The town council is calling for an assurance that a drainage scheme proposed by developers Westbury Homes would actually work. An Aquapave system is one of the measures planned for the 10-acre site, which is earmarked for 31 homes.

The system uses absorbent materials on driveways, forecourts and parking areas to soak up rainwater, which is then slowly released into the ground.

Large soakaways - gravelled areas which allow water to be soaked into the soil - would be used and the whole development would also be raised.

After discussing the scheme last week, councillors agreed to object to the plans because of flooding problems.

This was despite the fact that the drainage scheme has the backing of consultants WS Atkins, which is assessing it on behalf of Cotswold District Council.

Cllr Richard Clarke, who chairs the town council's planning committee, said: "The reports we have seen are full of 'shoulds' and 'mights'. The town council wants some sort of assurance that the scheme will prevent flooding.

"We want to see evidence that it has worked elsewhere."

The site, which is next to a flood plain near Downington, is in the local plan, but last year district councillors said the development could not go ahead unless the risk of flooding was addressed.

The latest plans will come before planners on April 3.

Officers are still waiting for a report from the Environment Agency on the drainage scheme.

Mike Napper, senior planner at CDC, said if the agency backed the scheme, then the development would be recommended for approval.

He said: "We would not be in a strong position to make a recommendation contrary to professional advice."

Downington has recently been hit by flooding, and town councillors and many residents fear the development will exacerbate problems.

Westbury's plans have been in the pipeline for five years.