RESIDENTS of Heybridge are unconvinced by new plans for a flood relief scheme that was first mooted 13 years ago.
As part of Maldon District Council's Local Development Plan, which earmarks 1,235 new homes for land in Heybridge, a "flood alleviation" scheme is set to be unveiled at a public open day on June 21.
But residents, who have received copies of the plans for the developer-funded scheme produced by Countryside homes with help from the council, say it will not work. And, if anything, it should be built before the new North Heybridge suburb.
A letter sent by MP John Whittingdale to the chairman of Heybridge Residents' Association, Don Benson, also reveals issues were highlighted as early as 2001 but no action was taken.
Mr Benson, 74, of Elizabeth Way, told the Chronicle: "We feel the scheme is short-sighted and isn't logical at all.
"The plans say that the whole development's rain will flow into three small ponds and into the already blocked drains and ditches, that doesn't make sense to me.
"And to know that the scheme has been looked at and essentially ignored since 2001 is terrible to know. To think that the only way we were ever going to get help was by accepting all these new homes."
The plans include building a ditch that runs into the River Blackwater, other smaller ditches and three manmade ponds inside the new development to the north and east of Holloway Road.
Mr Benson added: "We also feel that the flood alleviation scheme should be in operation before the homes. That way we have protection from all of the extra rainwater that will not be soaked up by the ground any more."
In a letter addressed to Mr Whittingdale on May 29, the Environment Agency says it would have funded up to 28 per cent of any flood relief scheme, but the rest would have to come from elsewhere.
The letter states: "We promoted a flood alleviation scheme for Heybridge following incidents in both February and October 2001 which resulted in the flooding of properties.
"However we were unable to obtain funding for the scheme from Defra.
"This was because of the high scheme costs relative to the sum of damages avoided over the scheme lifetime."
Bob Ryall, 64, also from the Heybridge Residents' Association, said: "No one here is convinced by the new plans and we're not sure if they know what they are doing.
"We know all of the pipes, drains and ditches need cleaning to start with because they are blocked. Secondly, the River Blackwater is tidal so any released water may not be able to be released into there.
"And it's frustrating to know that the plans have been looked at since 2001.
"The amount of times I've been flooded, as well as my neighbours, and the times we've had to get sandbags out to save our homes.
"It's blackmail in the first place. How can they say to us – you have to agree with the homes otherwise you will not be getting any flood alleviation scheme?"
Developer Countryside Properties is working on the flood alleviation scheme, which is geared to solve the problem and ensure the new homes do not flood.
An Environment Agency spokesman added: "We have been looking into a flood alleviation scheme since 2001 but we can only provide up to 28 per cent of the funds needed.
"If the homes to be built in Heybridge do not go ahead then we will still work with the community to deliver a much-needed flood alleviation plan for Heybridge."
