CONCERNED residents fear flooding could increase if more houses are built without suitable alleviation projects in place.

It was revealed in Maldon District Council’s half yearly performance review that flood alleviation schemes for Heybridge are “at risk” as early indications saw costs outweighing benefits.

Sue and Bob Ryall live on Holloway Road in Heybridge, described as one of the worst areas for flooding in the village.

They claim district councillors have always assured them that not a single house would be built without flood prevention plans in place.

The news of the scheme being at risk puts its and the housing plans’ future in jeopardy.

Sue said: “Even without the houses to come, our road gets swamped with huge pools of water. It becomes impassable and traffic grinds to a halt.

“Our argument and concern has always been that the amount of work, concrete and buildings that will be put there will make things considerably worse.

“Miriam Lewis, our district councillor, has always assured us that not a single brick will be laid until a flood protection scheme is in place.

“Now that the scheme appears to be at risk, they could end up going ahead anyway.”

Don Benson, Heybridge Parish Councillor and chair of Heybridge Residents Association, said: “It’s coming up to a head now. People are starting to realise the importance of having an association to look after the village, informing them of things like this, and it’s actually going to happen.

“Planning permission for all these homes have been given. It’s the law of the land. People need to be fighting these plans earlier on if they’re not happy about them.

“The district council has neglected the flood protection plans and the drainage system Heybridge already had, and as a result they’ve gotten worse.

“Now the new alleviation scheme is struggling, with hundreds of new homes around the corner. It’s one big mess.”