Fears development could create village ‘rat run’ and flooding
POST OFFICE TO BE TORN DOWN
AN estate with 33 homes is set to be built on the site of Leconfield’s Post Office despite warnings it would overwhelm existing drainage systems.
East Riding Council’s Planning Committee backed proposals for the estate, off Main Street, which would see the Post Office torn down and a new shop built in its place.
Council planning officers are set to finalise details on affordable housing, an outdoor play area and materials before the estate is formally approved. Development on the site was granted in principle in 2017.
A total of 28 residents objected to the plans, claiming the village’s already inadequate sewage system would not cope with more homes.
There were also concerns that Main Street would become a “rat run” with the increase in traffic and the impact on nearby countryside.
Developers said foul water sewage from the estate would go into local drainage systems while a new pumping station would deal with surface water.
Yorkshire Water also stated the village’s existing sewage system would have capacity for the new homes.
Leconfield resident Neil Scruton told councillors said drainage systems built in the village after floods in 2007 were “only coping” with existing sewage.
Mr Scruton said: “The main problem is drainage. This village flooded quite badly a few years ago and drainage schemes put in for the northern half of Leconfield are only just coping.
“When we get heavy rainfall, water comes over the dykes and some sewage has flooded back into homes.
“This development will exacerbate this. If the village floods again then we’ll have real problems.
“The other issue is traffic. This development is relatively small, but there is another larger development taking place in the village as well. If the developments are linked by road then most of the traffic will come out onto Main Street where the Post Office was. just
“The village is close to the A164 so Main Street could become a rat run.
“Residents accept that new houses need to be built and that Leconfield has to take its fair share.
“But we cannot afford village to flood again and concerned it will do development.”
Agent for the developer Chris Calvert told councillors the development would help the East Riding meet housing requirements.
Mr Calvert said: “This scheme will provide a high quality development with a mix of house types, including affordable dwellings. The applicant is supported by assessments that found the development would not increase the flood risk.”
The development is set to be built on 1.1 hectares of farm land and over the existing Post Office.
It will include four one-bedroom apartments, three two-bedroom homes, 13 three-bed houses and five with four-bedrooms.
There will also be eight affordable properties with four one-bedroom apartments and two three and two-bedroom homes each.
The developer is also set to provide an open play space in line with council conditions.
Councillor Bernard Gateshill, of Beverley Rural ward which includes Leconfield, said existing drains in the village were no longer fit for purpose.
He said: “Sewage flows into a water works and gets there by gravity and one pump.
“Local residents say that about twice a year after heavy rain, foul sewage comes into a large number of homes. If 33 properties are built it’s going to make a bad situation worse.
“The sewage system is old and no longer fit for purpose.
“If the development went ahead and there were further floods it would be absolutely disasterous.”
Councillor Michael Lee said he was “perplexed” that Yorkshire Water had stated the sewage system was adequate when residents disagreed.
Cllr Lee said: “I’m concerned about the confict between residents’ experiences and official drainage reports..” for the I’m seriously with this