Sharnford Residents Fear Drowning Due to Future Developments
Residents of Sharnford express concerns over planned developments that could lead to severe flooding in their village
Sharnford, Flooding, Leicestershire, Planning Applications, Community Safety
Sharnford: A group of residents is sounding the alarm about future developments in their village. They believe that if these plans go through, Sharnford could literally drown. The locals are worried about the increasing number of planning applications being submitted to Blaby District Council, especially those targeting farmland.
These villagers feel that the new developments could jeopardize the safety of their homes and the community. Recent heavy rainfall, which caused flooding almost a year after a previous disaster, has only heightened their concerns.
Sharnford has seen its fair share of planning proposals, including a plan for 134 new homes on the village’s edge. After last week’s floods, part of that land was left looking like a marsh, which is not a good sign.
Many residents, like Jen McDermott, are worried that greedy developers are putting profits over people. She pointed out that building on already marshy land is a disaster waiting to happen. The community is already struggling with flooding, and adding more concrete will only make things worse.
Jen also mentioned that new homeowners could find themselves stuck with properties that are hard to sell and high insurance costs, all while dealing with the stress of repeated flooding. It’s a tough situation, and she believes developers should not profit at the expense of the community’s safety.
Other villagers echoed her sentiments, with complaints about blocked drains causing sewage to back up into their homes during heavy rain. Maria Swift shared her frustration about sewage spilling into her garage and the nearby park.
Alex Cooney from Severn Trent clarified that while they can raise concerns about new developments, they don’t have the final say on whether they go ahead. He assured residents that the local pumping station is functioning as it should and has been upgraded to handle more wastewater.
He also mentioned that once the flooding subsides, a team will clean the local wastewater network to keep it running smoothly. Meanwhile, a spokesperson from Blaby District Council acknowledged the residents’ concerns and stated that they work closely with the local flood authority to assess any potential flooding impacts from new developments.
They emphasized that developers must consider flooding risks when submitting their plans and provide solutions to mitigate those risks. However, the council also noted that they are not responsible for major infrastructure issues.
As the situation unfolds, residents are left hoping for a solution that prioritizes their safety and the integrity of their community.