An Isle of Wight councillor says his business keeps flooding due to a new housing estate – but the developer says it is “not aware” of any issues.
“I just wanted to throw the towel in,” Councillor Matthew Price, who owns Prices Garage in Newport, said after his business was hit yet again by flash flooding after heavy rainfall on August 29.
Price: Flood mitigation scheme is “not working properly”
Councillor Price says the Pan Meadows housing estate’s flood mitigation scheme is “not working properly” and the Pan Stream Bridge system is “entirely inadequate” and believes they are behind the flooding, which is causing “endless damage”.
Barratt Homes, the developer that built Pan Meadows, has said it is “not aware” of “any issues” with its drainage system.
Councillor Price, Fairlee and Whippingham’s Conservative representative, arrived at his “completely flooded premises” at 5.30am that day and stood there thinking,
“I don’t know if can carry on, really.”
Flooded multiple times since 2013
Prices Garage, which has been operating for decades, has flooded multiple times since 2013, resulting in a “loss of earnings, insurance costs trebled” and flood cover no longer being available to the firm.
Councillor Price has spoken out in part to thank his employees for “cracking on” and “doing everything” they could to get the garage back up and running.
Price: There’s no doubt at all that it is related to that housing estate
He also wanted to highlight what he believes is the flooding’s cause,
“There’s no doubt at all that it is related to that housing estate because all of the (water) attenuation ponds that are behind are empty.
“And they were empty on the day that we were flooded – when I stood in a foot of water. Every time we get substantial rain, unless the drainage system or the flood mitigation system from Pan Meadows is made to work, we’re just going to continue to get flooded.
“My question to the developer is why are those ponds empty – if they’re there for rainfall attenuation then why aren’t they full up with water in the event of a flood incident?
“If they haven’t implemented the drainage scheme correctly, then it’s not just my premises that will flood, eventually it will be other properties nearby.”
Developer: We are not aware of any issues
A spokesperson at Barratt David Wilson Homes Southampton Division said,
“We recognise how difficult flooding can be for residents and businesses. The drainage system at Bluebell Meadows and St George’s Gate was designed with Southern Water, approved by the Isle of Wight Council, and works by holding back rainwater during storms before releasing it safely into local streams.
“We are not aware of any issues and will continue working with Southern Water and the council to ensure it operates as intended.”
IWC: Investigating implemented systems for managing surface water
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said,
“We are sorry to hear of these types of situations and do not underestimate the significant impacts flooding causes to Island residents and businesses.
“We are working with the affected party, Barratt Homes and other stakeholders to investigate the implemented systems for managing surface water and to ascertain if they are working as they should.
“The outcome of this will then shape any next steps and the provider responsible for completing any works.
“For those concerned or affected by flooding, useful information is available on the council’s website.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
