The effectiveness of a flood alleviation scheme has been called into question.

Developers Countryside Properties and the Environment Agency answered questions about Maldon District Council’s plans for 1,235 homes in north Heybridge last weekend.

But Bob Ryall, who lives in Holloway Road, which is affected by severe flooding during heavy rainfall, said: “Even with the Environment Agency and the developers’ flood alleviation scheme, the houses on the north side of Holloway Road are still show to be in a flood zone.”

Strutt & Parker, the Environment Agency and Maldon District Council, said: "A small proportion of the land being promoted by Strutt and Parker is within flood zone two and three from tidal sources of flood risk, as are most of the existing developed areas of Heybridge to the south of the site.

"This area of land is defended by the existing Maldon and Heybridge tidal flood defences.

"The extent of the flood zone has not changed since 2012 and the vast majority of the site is currently within a flood zone one (low risk)."

*  Full story in this week's Standard.