Pagham flooding - Residents speak of despair and fears for the future over planned developments

ks20073-1 Nyewood Residents Flood Concerns phot kate
Residents in Pagham very concerned about the proposed new houses in the area.ks20073-1 SUS-200225-193804008 — ks20073-1 Nyewood Residents Flood Concerns phot kate Residents in Pagham very concerned about the proposed new houses in the area.ks20073-1 SUS-200225-193804008

An outline planning application was approved for 90 homes with associated access and open space at the land north of Summer Lane, Nyetimber.

Arun District Council (ADC) is also currently considering an application (P/70/19/RES) for the approval of reserved matters, which can include appearance, means of access, landscaping, layout and scale.

However, residents fear that development works will exacerbate the problems in Pagham caused by heavy flooding in recent weeks.

ks20073-3 Nyewood Residents Flood Concerns phot kate Natalie Pink and her partner Leo residents in a flooded field near the proposed new houses.ks20073-3 SUS-200225-193408008

Natalie Pink, of Sylvia Close, said there is nowhere for the flood water to go with the homes being one mile away from the sea, so the fields are ‘acting as sponges’.

She said: “It’s just ridiculous to keep building and building [on a flood plain]. It’s so frustrating and exhausting.

“All of the proposed land is unsuitable for various reasons and yet ADC keep allowing the applications.

“My garden has never flooded and still, even after this storm, is not sodden, however the proposed land behind me is flooded and generally floods every time we have a bit of rain.

ks20073-2 Nyewood Residents Flood Concerns phot kate
Residents in Pagham very concerned about the proposed new houses in the area.ks20073-2 SUS-200225-193510008 — ks20073-2 Nyewood Residents Flood Concerns phot kate Residents in Pagham very concerned about the proposed new houses in the area.ks20073-2 SUS-200225-193510008

“The water table is high. The drainage report states that it is unsuitable, the new development to the north of this proposed one already floods in sections and reports have been made to say drainage for that site was not suitable. In the current climate where flooding is a massive issue I really think councils need to be acting more responsibly.”

Alan Pivett, of the Pagham and Aldwick Greenfields Action Movement, said the building work could create a ‘serious problem in the future’.

He added: “The plans are completely unacceptable and this need to be addressed.

“The Environment Agency has warned that if Pagham Yacht Club was to flood, more than 1,000 properties would be at risk. There is a potential risk of creating a serious flood plain.”

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A flooded field near the proposed new houses.ks20073-4 SUS-200225-193736008 — ks20073-4 Nyewood Residents Flood Concerns phot kate A flooded field near the proposed new houses.ks20073-4 SUS-200225-193736008

David Huntley, vice chairman of Pagham Parish Council, said the community is ‘very concerned’.

He added: “We are not happy at all. We just want them to behave with more consideration and caution.

“Pagham is valuable. It is 1,200 years old and we don’t want it treated with contempt. There is a threat to nature and I don’t think the infrastructure can cope. I am deeply against it.”

The district council said the Summer Lane plans were approved ‘in accordance with advice received from our drainage engineers’.

A spokesperson added: “Conditions were imposed requiring full details of drainage to be submitted.

“Other applications in the area are subject to the same process.”