RESIDENTS living near a proposed housing development say severe flooding issues in the area need to be given more consideration.

People living in and around Levendale, off Garbutts Lane in Hutton Rudby, say every year their gardens are severely flooded by water from a site which is now proposed for 30 new homes.

The plans are now lodged with Hambleton District Council but the residents fear if they are approved, the new properties and their own could be at further risk of flooding. They say the existing homes bordering the site – which has a stream running through it - all have soakaways leading on the land to draw water from their properties.

Derek Simpson said: “The stream floods to the east because to the west of it is high ground. The east is where you would expect ponds to be placed to soak up the flood water, but that’s where the developers plan to put the homes and road.

“Flash flooding isn’t that regular but in winter, when there’s heavy rain, it’s normal.”

Another resident, David Hellawell, said: “Excess water from the flood came across the back of my garden and washed away my neighbour’s back garden and even shifted a 10ft concrete pad.”

The plans involve creating a collection of two, three and four-bedroomed affordable and family homes on a collection of paddocks. They are also proposing to create roads, parking areas and drainage systems.

In their report, the developers say they have prepared a separate report on water and drainage which will form part of a drainage strategy.

A spokesman for the planners ELG Planning, in Darlington, who are working on behalf of the applicant said: “While the applicant acknowledges the concerns of local residents, the current application is accompanied by a detailed report prepared by a leading specialist in Flood Risk Assessment and all aspects of drainage design.

“The supporting document has been undertaken to adhere to the latest standards and guidance, and we will continue to work with the relevant authorities to ensure that a suitable solution is reached.”

Earlier this year, residents learnt eight sites around the village were being put forward by various developers for inclusion in Hambleton District Council’s new local plan as suitable for housing. Residents are hoping to take back some control of development by drawing up a Neighbourhood Plan which will formally set out what kind of development is needed in the village and where.

On Wednesday (September 21) the government’s “planning tsar” MP John Howell OBE visited the village to speak a special meeting in the village hall. He was invited by local MP Rishi Sunak to share his expertise as the government’s champion for neighbourhood planning.

The site in question, near the village cricket club off Garbutts Lane, has already been classed as potentially suitable for housing in the council’s existing local plan.