A SCHEME to rid South Craven of its flooding problem is failing to attract funding three years after a solution was discovered.

The project has been on the waiting list for a cash handout from the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF) since 1996.

But the flooding is at such a level that it is failing to score highly enough on MAFF's "points" scheme to warrant a grant.

And the project is prevented from getting money from elsewhere because it is still eligible for a MAFF grant.

The estimated cost of the Sutton and Glusburn flood elevation scheme has been put at £312,000.

January 1992 and December 1993 saw the worst of the flooding which affected Colne Road, Glusburn, and Hall Drive, Ash Grove and Crag View in Sutton.

Experts from Bradford-based Buller Consultants took water levels at various points along Holme Beck to create a computer model of the stream which showed water flow during rainfall.

Its findings revealed underground culverts were failing to get rid of their water into the beck.

The consultants suggested solutions including tidying up the beck at Glusburn and running a pipe under Colne Road.

The largest project - costing an estimated £135,000 - would stop the flooding in the Ash Grove area of Sutton.

This would involve diverting an underground dyke so it flowed into the river at a higher point.

A small flood banking would also be built on the hillside above Sutton to allow the water to drain away more slowly.

A bid to get cash from Craven District Council's own capital programme cash pot failed due to a lack of money.

And, in a letter to Sutton Parish Council, Craven's head of operations Greg Robinson said the project was no nearer getting funding from MAFF.

He told them the scheme would have to score 23 on the ministry's "points" scheme to qualify for cash, but in the last round it had only scored 20.

And he added that the council was scrutinising all European cash pots to see if the idea met criteria.

Coun Betty Hawkins commented: "How flooded do we have to be before anything is done?"

Coun Ken Hart said he was convinced the flooding in Ash Grove could be prevented through another solution.

He says a four-inch underground pipe which transfers water from a drain to a nearby well should be replaced with a larger one to cope with the volume of water coming off the street.

Coun Hart is asking for a meeting with drainage experts to look at the problem.

He added: "I don't think we can justify putting up the rates to pay for the flooding scheme, but we haven't lost sight of it."

* Coun Ken Hart, one of Craven's two Sutton representatives has returned to council duties following a successful operation to correct eye problems.

He told the Herald he would still be receiving regular treatment, but his eyesight has improved greatly.