A decision over plans for eight new homes in a West Cumbrian village have been delayed for a second time.
Members of Allerdale council’s development panel could not reach agreement over proposals for the homes in Seaton due to concerns over flooding.
The outline application from Thwaytes, Thwaytes, Rutherford & Warren for land off Beech Grove, included layout plans as councillors wanted to know more about any impact the new development would have on flooding, which is already an issue in the village.
Aileen Brown, of Seaton Parish Council, told the panel: “This problem goes back years, 25 years ago during flooding of the footpath between Low Seaton and Westcroft, Cumbria County Council could not solve the flooding problem then and had to build a footbridge over the culvert which is still in place today.
“These houses are very near to this area but maybe that’s why the houses are going to be 1.75 metres above ground level.”
She showed the panel images of flooding from a period of heavy rain, water run-off had gathered in the culvert and flooded a young disabled woman’s home.
She added: “This is only going to get worse when we lose the field to 100 houses when there’s no soakaway anywhere.”
Seaton Parish Council had lodged an official objection to the development due to flooding concerns and additional traffic generated.
Despite the panel being told by officers, who recommended the scheme for approval, that a drainage scheme would be an enforced condition, Councillor Anthony McGuckin proposed refusal.
However, the motion was defeated as chairman Tony Annison voted against it using his casting vote.
Cllr Annison said: “There’s clearly been extensive hard work done and there was a comment made that if it was left as it was, there’s a greater risk than if this heavy engineering took place.”
He called a vote to approve them but it too was voted down.
Following further lengthy debate, councillors voted to defer the plans so that flooding professionals could attend their next and be quizzed on the flooding impact.
