Housing development floods neighbours’ gardens

NEIGHBOURS living next to a new housing development say that they have experienced “considerable” flooding in their gardens because of building works.

Residents from Farmhouse Court and Berkley Way, which is adjacent to the new Hunters Wood development to the east of Melksham, say that the ongoing flooding issue, which has been affecting them for months, has been caused by a “ineffective” site drainage plan, and by developers raising the height of the development by spreading excavated soil across the site, causing water to run off onto their land.

Concern has been raised about how the flood water could impact their homes, and the grade 2 listed red brick wall that surrounds the development on Farmhouse Court.

And the impact on local wildlife has also been highlighted by residents after dead great crested newts – a protected species – were found in the flood waters in one of the gardens.

Residents have appealed to the developers, David Wilson Homes, development consultants Brookbanks for assistance; and have also asked Wiltshire Council to hold the developers to account over the “inadequacy” of their drainage plans.

A number of residents affected by the flooding appealed to Melksham Without Parish Council for their support at the parish council’s planning committee meeting last week.

Parish councillors were discussing a planning application by the developers to amend the plans for the land adjacent to Farmhouse Court and Berkley Way, reducing the number of homes from 28 to 26. And whilst residents welcomed the reduction in the number of homes, they suggested that the parish council objects to the plans, in a bid to slow the development down.

The only way to bring these people to heel is to delay,” said Gavin Parker, whose property has been most affected by the flooding. “The only language they understand is being told ‘no’.”

At the meeting, parish councillors agreed to object to the plans, requesting that the developers address the flooding problems, both in the short-term and long-term. 

“We should do whatever we can to halt the plans,” said cllr David Pafford.

Chair of the planning committee and chair of the parish council, cllr Richard Wood, said that it was clear that the development is affecting drainage in the area.

“It’s a ridiculous issue,” said cllr Wood, “it should never have happened, and it’s a classic example of a big company not caring very much what they do.”

Wiltshire Council has said that investigations are ongoing into the matter. 

Wiltshire Council’s ,cabinet member for highways, transport and waste, cllr Bridget Wayman, told Melksham News, “A drainage engineer has been out on site today (12th February) to start the investigation into the issue raised.  The investigation is on going.”

A spokesperson for David Wilson Homes said, “We’re grateful to our neighbours alongside the new Hunters Wood development for bringing this to our attention and are sorry for the inconvenience caused. We have visited the properties concerned and outlined a plan of action with the owners. We will be carrying out additional drainage work, hedge trimming and a further ecological assessment. As construction work progresses at Hunters Wood, new storm drains will reduce surface water levels further.

“The listed wall has been protected and is being actively monitored, both before and during our work on site.”