RESIDENTS of Brockhill West have hit out at plans to build more houses there after heavy rain on Wednesday morning quickly flooded sodden fields and Batchley Brook broke its banks.
Developers already want to put an additional 1,100 houses there and local resident David Moss said it was extraordinary that campaigning groups like the Webheath Action Group, who are objecting to plans to build more homes off Foxlydiate Lane, should suggest they should be built in Brockhill instead.
“I empathise with anyone trying to object to what they believe is unsuitable development, however, on a number of occasions they specifically refer to the area Brockhill West as being more sustainable and more suitable,” said Mr Moss
“But you only have to look at what happens after a reasonable amount of rain here. I live in Dairy Lane, 100 metres from Batchley Brook, and you have to declare that on your insurance form.
“Can you imagine what the water run off is going to be like when the brook floods then?
“They put in something called ‘a sustainable drain’ which is basically a hole in the ground and I can tell you after this much rain it’s not much of a solution.”
He added that with so much development going campaigners needed to be aware of issues in other areas of the town before volunteering them as likely sites.
“I have a lot of empathy for the Webheath campaigners but It’s like robbing Peter to pay Paul – before putting the finger elsewhere fight your own battles first.”
David Rose, chairman of the Webheath Action Group said: “We empathise with the people of Brockhill West too, but this is what the planning process does, it pits community against community.
“We too have had flooding around here, but if you are looking to build near to jobs, transport links and facilities there closer and more appropriate sites than Webheath.”
