A SUB-committee has been set up to investigate flooding issues in Thurrock and ensure that new housing developments are not at risk. 

At a meeting of the borough council's Local Development Plan Task Force last night (Wednesday, 26 July) its newly elected chair, Cllr Joy Redsell, has turned attention on flooding as a priority. 

The task force is an ongoing committee that is reviewing proposals for the council's long overdue local planning plan.

A draft proposal about the plan has now been created and can be viewed via this link.

As part of the work of the task force, Cllr Redsell believes it needs to give special consideration to flooding.

She says: "We need to make sure we are planning fully sustainable builds whether it be a few infill properties or large new estates. As the local plan moves forward, we need to establish what the impact of the buildings will be. 

"This isn't just about the existing areas that are flood plains but also the impact of the development putting more water into our water courses faster. As chair of the local plan committee, it is right that we get this issue managed here."

News of the sub committee has been welcomed by environment portfolio holder Cllr Andrew Jeffries who said: "We must ensure that where ever we build homes the risk of flooding whether that be from our water courses or rainfall is at the heart of our decisions. 

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"It is right that the Local Development Plan Task Force start to consider this as we progress the Local Plan."

Last year there were serious floods in Stanford-le-Hope, where residents pointed the finger of blame at poor planning and the development of new homes on areas already known locally to be at risk of flooding.

Stanford West ward councillor Shane Hebb says: "As a representative of a ward who has endured flooding in the past, it is essential that flood risk and surface run-off risks are fully considered in plans for building homes in the future. I very much welcome this move."