FLOOD water pouring off a field which could have more than 300 new houses built on it has raised fresh concerns over the site’s suitability for development.

Drivers travelling to the south of Chard struggled to cross a temporary ford after heavy rainfall last week.

The flooding stretched across Forton Road and also filled the entrance to a site which is currently the subject of a major planning application.


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Lisa Bagg posted photographs of the submerged road on Facebook on Thursday, March 15, saying: “And they think this is a suitable field to build in.”

She added: “The potential for flooding in this area of Forton Road needs to be analysed in greater detail.

“The potential increase in traffic along Forton Road also appears to have been overlooked by the Highways Agency – it feels like the proposed development has simply been rubber stamped by the Highways Agency without detailed analysis.”

Hannah Finn, another Chard resident, said the water was “coming off the road and down the field like a river” and this isn’t the first time she has seen such flooding.

The latest planning application from Persimmon Homes for 315 dwellings between Forton Road and Tatworth Road was discussed by Chard Town Council’s planning committee on Monday (March 19).

The plans were discussed following another planning application which was rejected over flood concerns in Chard.

Cllr Amanda Broom, a town and county councillor for Chard North, said: “I am sure most councillors will want to make some comment on this application.

“We still have concerns. My main one is flooding. Having travelled along Forton Road recently I can say that the flooding problem is real there.

“It is about having the assurance that that can be addressed, not just now but for the future.”

Cllr Garry Shortland, Mayor of Chard, said: “We have a flooding issue. Once we have these houses there it is just going to be worsened.”

No reasons for refusal have been given for the application by the Lead Local Flood Authority at Somerset County Council.

The LLFA did note a lack of detail in the drainage plans and called for a condition that surface water drainage, along with a programme for implementation and lifetime maintenance, must be approved by the flood authority before any development begins.