Flood-fear homes 'back on track'

The saga over the development of the land off Muston Road, Filey, has being rumbling on for years. Builders appealed against refusal by Scarborough Council and won in 2007.

Campaigners had been braced for Lancashire based NJW Developments to then submit more detailed proposals, and then the recession intervened.

But now public consultations are to start again after the land owners opened a dialogue with North East-based social landlord Coast and Country.

Launched nine years ago, Coast and Country now has more than 10,000 properties on its books after taking over the management of Redcar and Cleveland Council's housing stock in 2002.

A spokesman for the not-for-profit company said: "Coast and Country is continuing to dialogue with the present owners in regard to site.

"It is proposed that 300 new dwellings will be built and we hope to commence work in mid-2011."

Plots would be a combination of affordable housing, shared ownership schemes, and properties for sale on the open market.

Filey Town Council's planning chairman David Murton said he was surprised by the move but the important thing now was that residents made their views known to the developers.

He continued: "I'd encourage people to take part in the consultation exercise, as I will be doing for Filey Town Council. I would also hope that Coast and Country will take notice of people's feedback from that."

The last time residents were consulted over potential housing sites, some local communities saw their largest public meetings in about 40 years with hundreds of people turing out to discussions and exhibitions.

The two main concerns about the Muston Road scheme last time around were fears about flooding and that the local infrastructure would not be able to cope with the increased population.

Filey has been swamped twice by flash floods – in 2002 and 2007 – after torrential rain overloaded the sewage system, causing filth to bubble up through the drains into streets and homes.

However, in 2008 Yorkshire Water confirmed it would be investing in better sewerage arrangements at the bottom end of Muston Road.

Residents were delighted, some of them having been kept out of their homes for more than a year after the previous summer's floods.

Scarborough councillor Sam Cross said: "I still have great concerns because of the problem with flooding in the area. Filey has flooded twice in recent years.

"We all know the climate is getting wetter and wetter. I still don't think that level of housing is needed here. The town struggles, and has poor facilities for a community of this size.

"We don't have a sports centre and there is not enough to for the children and other young people to do in the town." He was also concerned local medical services could be overwhelmed.

"Local transport links also need improving but floods are a real concern, and whether they can alleviate the problem in that area.

"Yorkshire Water cannot stop if from raining whatever they do with the drains. The system it has improved in Muston Road can only cope with a one-in-30- year storm whereas Filey has experienced one in 100-year storms."

He added that everyone hoped the scheme had died due to the recession.

The public meeting will be held from 11am tomorrow at the Evron Centre in Filey.