Campaigners against Menston homes record dramatic evidence of heavy rain (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Campaigners against Menston homes record dramatic evidence of heavy rain

11:00am Tuesday 9th October 2012 in News By Jonathan Redhead, Ilkley/Otley Reporter

Campaigners say they have video evidence proving why drainage and flooding issues should stop nearly 300 homes being built in a village.

Before the 175 homes in Derry Hill and 135 homes in Bingley Road have even been built, objectors to the schemes have said the village’s sewer and drainage system is already struggling to cope.

Now campaigners, led by Menston Action Group (Mag), Menston Community Association and the parish council, have published videos and photographs showing the effects of rain on village infrastructure – months after planning applications for the schemes were backed by Bradford Council.

Some of their videos also highlight recent flooding in fields in Derry Hill and Bingley Road, where the homes could be constructed by Barratt Homes and Taylor Wimpey respectively.

Ahead of a meeting in Menston tonight to discuss the homes battle, Mag have released the videos and photographs to show how bad things are.

Solicitors for the campaigners have also written to the Council, which has given permission for the homes with several conditions, and Yorkshire Water to highlight the problems they say have been affecting the village for years.

A spokesman for Mag says the group is “95 per cent confident” it can stop the developments going ahead because of the flooding and drainage issues.

The Menston Forum meeting is at 7.30pm in the Kirklands Community Centre, in Main Street, and letters have gone around the village highlighting the objectors’ campaign.

“There has been serious flooding in the village and along the A65 during this summer, with flood water and sewage forced up manholes onto village streets,” it says.

“It has, admittedly, been a poor summer, but the long-term weather forecasts indicate that the UK must expect greater extremes of weather in years to come.

“We have commissioned, at significant expense, a professional report from the UK’s leading flood and drainage consultants which shows that if volume housing is built in Menston, our drainage system is simply inadequate and will be overwhelmed in areas from the moor top to the Wharfe.”

Meanwhile, campaigners are still waiting to hear the results of the village green application for Derry Hill more than seven weeks after a public inquiry ended. If the application is successful it could stop any potential construction on the site.