Flood fears over Garendon

THE recent flooding across the county remind us all how unwise it is to build on the flood plain.

This is precisely why we are so worried about the Garendon Development.

Even before the developers’ Flood Risk Assessment was written, the banks of the Blackbrook were struggling to retain the quantity of water through Thorpe Acre.

That risk assessment is now six-yearsold and based on the “1 in 100 year flood risk” which is being regularly breached as we witness more and more extreme weather events due to climate change.

Since the risk was assessed there has been more building along the Blackbrook in Shepshed and more to come which may compound the problem.

If the building cannot be stopped, we propose the following measures to save areas like Thorpe Acre from continuing threat.

There needs to be more nature based solutions to hold water further upstream before the Blackbrook even reaches Shepshed Mill. That means tree planting and other vegetation.

But the council still has the opportunity of reviewing the measures proposed by the developers – the SuDS or Sustainable Drainage Systems. This is a fancy term for open space and balancing ponds along the floodplain.

It may even be possible at this late stage to move housing plans further away from the floodplain.

As councillors responsible for this vulnerable area we are proposing this at borough and county councils.

Max Hunt, county councillor for Loughborough NW Paul Boldrin, borough councillor for Garendon Ward

■ Pictures sent in by Coun Max Hunt which he says shows the Blackbrook as it runs through Thorpe Acre, Loughborough, brimming the high dams either side.