The owner of a Grade II listed cottage in Hurst claims his home’s existence is threatened by nine houses proposed for a nearby green field.
Martin Hyson, objecting to permission for the houses in Broadwater Lane, Hurst, told Wokingham Borough Council: “During the last six months heavy rain has again caused extreme flooding in Hogmoor Lane.
“With global warming this type of weather is going to become more frequent and additional water from this proposed development threatens the existence of White Rose Cottage.”
He said his cottage was built around 1800 and has cob walls and no footings, and it had never flooded. But a year ago extremely heavy rainfall meant water entered the cottage ruining all the carpets and making the cesspit overflow.
He said: “The proposal [for development] includes a large attenuation pond for water collection with overflow discharged into a ditch running alongside Hogmoor Lane. Hogmoor Lane floods every year.”
He claimed the culvert on the corner of Hogmoor Lane was totally unsuitable for water flowing into it during heavy rainfall. The water travelled down Hogmoor Lane into Poplar Lane making both lanes impassable. Using the ditch next to Hogmoor Lane for overflow water was ridiculous, he claimed.
A flood risk assessment by consulting engineers Simpson/tws for Shorewood Homes said the drainage ditch to the north of the site partly collapsed in December 2022. It would be cleared and maintained as part of any development.
There had been sewer flooding near the site in Broadwater Lane, reportedly because heavy rain overloaded the sewers. However, it was understood the site was not affected, likely because it was raised above Broadwater Lane. The site was a low probability of flooding from all sources.
The development could though mean more surface water runoff. This could be managed by Sustainable Drainage Systems. These would protect the development from surface water flooding and reduce surface water flood risk to the surrounding area.
The assessment adds: “It is concluded that the development can be occupied and operated safely and that there will be no increase in the level of flood risk to the site or neighbouring sites because of the proposed development.”
More than 60 people had commented to Wokingham Borough Council on the plan by Tuesday. The consultation finishes today (Thursday, March 28). The council will then decide whether to give the scheme permission.
Visit https://wokingham.today/police-called-after-vegetation-stripped-from-hurst-verge for further comments on the plan.
