Fresh flood fight against building plans (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Fresh flood fight against building plans

AS FLOODS brought misery to Lechlade last week, there was fresh hope for residents who thought they had lost the fight against a housing scheme they fear will make future problems worse.

Because of pressure from local campaigners, last month's decision to allow 31 houses to be built on a sodden field near a river Thames flood plain could be challenged in the courts.

In an unprecedented move, Cotswold District Council has revealed that it is considering a High Court challenge to the decision allowing the development at Butler's Court.

The plans were refused by the council in April, but Westbury Homes appealed to a government inspector, who approved the application in December.

Residents living near the site are bitterly opposed to the scheme. They say the field acts as a giant sponge and soaks up water which would otherwise flood their homes.

Tony Jones, CDC's head of planning, said the council's case would be fought on the basis of new government guidelines on building near flood plains.

"The government says we should take a precautionary approach when considering developments like this," he said.

Although the application was thrown out by district councillors, it was recommended for approval by council officers and the Environment Agency.

"The fact that our officers backed the application is not relevant, and we defended the councillors' decision to the inspector," said Mr Jones.

Any challenge would be mounted by the end of the month.

Last week, Lechlade was hit by the worst flooding since October 2000.

A stretch of the A417 in Downington was flooded on Thursday and several gardens were submerged.

Resident Suzanne Ward had to use sandbags to prevent water seeping into her home.

Mrs Ward is one of several residents whose homes back onto Butler's Court.

They are not convinced that a high-tech drainage scheme proposed by Westbury will prevent an increase in flooding.

"Nobody can guarantee that this untried and untested scheme will not exacerbate the situation," said Mrs Ward.

Campaigners and local councillors contacted CDC calling for legal action to be taken.

Westbury reiterated the fact that both the Environment Agency and CDC's own officers backed its plans.

A spokesman said "They confirmed that Westbury's plans, which include innovative methods to control drainage, demonstrate best practice in terms of design and they have therefore agreed with the government inspector that planning permission can be granted."

Pic caption: Lechlade town councillor Robert Long and resident Mike Hammond survey the site of the proposed housing development at Butler's Court.