PLANS to protect a 1,100 home development from flooding could collapse due to funding problems.

Surface water flooding has been a major concern for homes in Heybridge for several years but it was hoped a scheme could be found to reduce the risk.

Now it is the north Heybridge flood alleviation scheme which is at risk.

The council had been working with the Environment Agency and Essex County Council on a flood defence grant.

However a new council report has confirmed the whole scheme is at risk.

The report, set to go before its finance and corporate services committee next week, claims the costs are predicted to outweigh the benefits and the area would therefore not be eligible for funding.

The report states: “The status of this is considered to be ‘at risk’ due to the poor cost benefit ratio.”

The news could throw the future of the North Heybridge Garden Suburb into jeopardy, with a flood alleviation scheme part of the conditions.

The 1,100 homes plan for land north of Holloway Road was approved in December by councillors.

At the meeting, councillor Miriam Lewis of Heybridge West Ward stated the development was a “last chance saloon” for Heybridge to get a flood prevention scheme.

The flooding scheme was reported to be behind schedule in June, but now it could collapse.

Holloway Road and Goldhanger Road in Heybridge have historically suffered from serious flooding, with many residents fearing it would only worsen with more houses built.

Last year £500,000 was spent in Wagtail Drive and Coppers Avenue to protect 20 homes.

Both were prone to flooding after heavy rain, as are many other roads on the area.

Essex County Council contributed £359,000 to the scheme, Maldon District Council gave £100,000 and £34,000 came from the Environment Agency.

Despite this residents claim it has made little difference, with no noticeable change in water levels during heavier downpours.

No additional projects have materialised for other roads since and the funding problem also raises questions about other schemes.