We must reduce risk of flooding, warns MP
SOUTHPORT MP Damien Moore says more consideration must be taken of the town’s history of flooding problems after the latest storm.
Areas around the town, notably in Kew and in Churchtown, experienced problems with flooding after heavy and sustained rain, while cars parked by Southport beach were stranded by the high tides.
Among those to suffer were residents of Bankfield Lane, next to a site where hundreds of homes are to be built.
The Conservative MP was among those to warn against the Wainhomes housing development being approved last year, but Sefton Council’s planning committee ultimately ruled that the plans were acceptable.
The plans will result in 327 homes built on farmland off Bankfield Lane.
After Storm Ciara hit, Mr Moore said he spoke with the council, United Utilities and the Environment Agency to ask that “Southport residents receive priority considering our close proximity to the coast and our town’s history, in part, with drainage problems”.
He said: “It is also imperative Sefton Council and United Utilities work together to resolve the drainage problems on Bankfield Lane and the surrounding areas longterm. The issue of flooding in this part of Southport is a persistent problem and one I – and many residents – have raised before with Sefton Council when the planning department considered further significant development.
“Potential flooding was disregarded then, and constituents now have the right to demand the council reconsider its position and invest in the local area to protect local residents from significant flooding damage in the future.”
After criticisms of the planning approval for the housing development were previously made by Mr Moore and Liberal Democrat councillors, a council spokesman rebutted claims that flooding and drainage issues were not properly considered.
He said: “Prior to agreement, there were two lengthy committee meetings where matters were discussed, amended plans and information submitted, and full and detailed committee reports which detailed the assessments in relation to the proposal, including the drainage issues, highway infrastructure and local services. To say it was passed without any consideration of these issues is just not true.
“Damien Moore’s comments were received alongside those of local residents in advance, and as per the normal procedure, the issues raised were summarised within the committee report.”