Villager fears floods after two new homes approved

A MAN who has lived in a period cottage in Dunsden Green for more than 30 years says he may have to move due to the threat of flooding.

John Goldsmith is alarmed after plans were approved for two new houses and the extension and alteration of two existing semi-detached properties.

His home, Old Well Cottage, is adjacent to the 0.25-hectare development site with the village hall on the other side.

Mr Goldsmith is concerned about flooding in Dunsden and down the hill in Playhatch.

He said: “I live in the adjacent property to this development and have enjoyed countryside views for more than 30 years.

“This development, being so far behind the building line, will enclose our garden almost completely with a loss of privacy.

“Dunsden Green is situated on thick clay and as such is prone to drainage issues with the paddock to the rear being saturated in heavy rain. This development can only exacerbate this problem.

“During downpours, my property cannot cope and the downpipes overflow as the ground is saturated.

“Playhatch, the village next to Dunsden Green, has severe flooding at the bottom of the hill. This has become ten times worse since the Dene Close housing estate was built on the land that previously held the floodwater.

“Sewage tankers are there on a regular basis trying to pump out the water as the manholes lift and flood the area in sewage during heavy rain. The building of these huge houses is going to increase the flood problem.”

The plans were approved by South Oxfordshire District Council, the planning authority, last month.

But Mr Goldsmith said: “[It is] a great injustice to the people of our parish. Ultimately, it is the people who suffer. I have lived here happily for more than 30 years but am now considering moving. We the people of the parish are angry and feel let down.”

The plans were first submitted in February last year and amended in May for a redesign of the front elevations on two plots.

Eye and Dunsden Parish Council objected to the plans on both occasions, noting that the houses were out of character with the historic setting of the rural village green and neighbouring buildings. Other residents raised concerns about the height of the new buildings, the increase in vehicles and the lack of consideration for how hardstanding water would be drained in a flood risk area with a clay subsoil.

James Mark O’Brien, of Church Lane, complained about the scale and design of the project, parking and the flood risk.

He said: “There is no consideration for how run-off will be managed from this surface area and resolve the drainage issue and the risks it will create for nearby properties.

“Much natural drainage is through underground natural ‘pipes’ in the clay-based soil. In Dunsden Way, Playhatch, rainfall events increasingly cause flooding and drain covers in the road are forced off.”

The council approved the plans subject to 18 conditions, including additional details on surface water and foul drainage works, surface water management and drainage.

It said a full surface water drainage scheme would need to be submitted and approved.

The scheme should be able to accommodate a minimum of, in the worst case, a one in 30-year storm with any flows not causing a nuisance or flooding of properties.

To ensure the proper provision of foul water drainage and to ensure flooding and pollution are not exacerbated locally, a full foul water drainage scheme is required.

In addition, a report must be prepared by an engineer, which demonstrates that the sustainable drainage system has been installed and completed in accordance with the approved scheme.

Tom Wyatt, planning officer at the district council, said the plans were acceptable.

He said: “The proposed development would not adversely harm the amenity of neighbours and would not harm the character or appearance of the site and the surrounding area.

“The proposed development would not adversely impact important ecological or arboricultural assets on site and would ensure safe and convenient access to the local highway with sufficient parking and manoeuvring provided on site.

“In the opinion of the council, the proposed development would not result in any adverse harm that would significantly or demonstrably outweigh the benefits of approving this development.

“In applying the tilted balance, and in conjunction with the conditions, the proposal accords with relevant planning policy and planning permission should be granted.”