Housing development is in the balance after flooding row
RESIDENTS in Langley fear a new housing development on open land will increase the risk of flooding.
Developer Corringate Properties Ltd has submitted plans to build a pair of four-bedroom semi-detached houses.
The “high quality new housing” is proposed for a vacant plot of open pasture land on the south side of Langley Road, between numbers six and seven Manor Terrace.
But neighbours, backed by Sutton Parish Council, claim the land is prone to flooding and the development will make matters worse.
Since submitted the original plans in April, Corringate Properties has suggested a way of managing the excess water.
In a report to Cheshire East Council by ADS Structural Ltd said: “Once the recommended mitigation measures are put in place, the development is considered extremely unlikely to increase flood risk off site.”
But residents are unconvinced.
In a series of comments made on the council’s planning portal, they claim regular flooding.
Christopher Ratcliffe, of Manor Terrace, said: “There is a stream running from the hill behind down through this plot of land, and although it was converted many years ago, it has not been maintained, resulting in regular flooding in this land and across the road, particularly in times of heavy rainfall.
“Unless the stream and associated drainage of this plot is addressed adequately, building of houses there would surely increase flood risk to neighbouring houses.”
Jeff Flitcroft, of Manor Terrace, said: “We have grave concerns over the increased risk of potential flooding.
“In any heavy rainfall the stream quickly turns into a torrent of flowing water which charges down the field into the gap between six and seven.
“It overwhelms the field and road drains, rushes through the field fence thence across the road and into woods opposite.”
Jan Rose, of Manor Terrace, said: “The land always floods when there is heavy rain, the flooding extending the full width of the road at the front of the site.
“The builders need to be aware of this and take action to ensure appropriate and effective drainage.”
Sutton Parish Council repeated the concerns and objected to the development.
Arthur Penkett, from Corringate Properties Ltd, said the architects and land owner have acted upon every concern and comment made by the planning officer and residents, adding: “The much needed infill development of a modern pair of semi detached family homes, in keeping with the rest of the terrace provides the following benefits: as a planning condition, expert opinion and recommendations, the new development will provide a new or much improved drainage system suitably designed to deal with the current intermittent problem. Raising the ground level to that similar to the existing houses on the terrace, will provide a permeable sub base and surface with managed water run off.”
The scheme looks set to be decided by a planning committee in October.