I READ, with concern, in last week’s issue (CP online, 04-04-22) that a fresh plan has been submitted for the Pennyfeathers development.

As a resident of Springvale, my interest and concern is to raise the increasingly important issue of rainwater flooding.

In the case of my locality, our problems stem from the Westridge area and last August we had a 2.5ft flood which arrived in one hour.

The plan for building on the Westridge farmland will clearly, in the future, increase future water levels.

The important point is that this flood was three inches higher than our previous one.

In the case of the Pennyfeathers plan, the rainwater problem from that area has, through Smallbrook and Monkton Mead, already flooded Ryde for many years.

I have to ask whether our planners have any idea of what they are doing, or indeed if they have any understanding of the problem.

As is so often the case, we are using out-of-date Victorian systems to overcome the problem.

As I understand the current methods serve such developments with “ tanks” which allow water to move into adjacent land.

Clearly this is now inadequate and inefficient in dealing with the kind of deluges we are likely to experience in the future.

The problem is not new but, like many, has been ignored for too long.

I suggest that we need a completely new approach and planning rules on a national basis.

In the future I suggest that rainwater must be adequately piped and supported by pumping out to sea.

In the case of those of us who are already affected, some method of increased water control should be debated.

I hope this letter and your columns will cause your readers to join in creating pressure for action.

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