Angry flooded residents tell council 'You show no remorse!'

Angry Isle of Wight residents have voiced their frustration and demanded action, after 16 incidents of flooding in Gunville in just six months.

At a meeting last night (Thursday, April 25), in the Methodist Church, organiser, Kristy White, said: “These people want something firm and concrete. We feel like we have been sacrificed for the new development.”

Tempers flared, as one resident exclaimed: “We are a community, and you have let us down. 16 times I have flooded, 16 times.

“Have you ever been flooded? You haven’t got an idea what it has been like for us. You show no remorse. None of you have done anything."

Flooding on Broadwood Lane in Gunville (Image: IWCP)

Concerns ranged from property damage and devaluation to health risks and the negative impact on daily life.

Attended by representatives from the Isle of Wight Council, Island MP Bob Seely, ward councillor Joe Lever and representatives from the Environment Agency, the meeting focused on flooding since October.

A section 19 investigation, ordered by the Isle of Wight Council in January, aims to identify the causes of the flooding, including the role of surface water from the nearby farmers’ field and the performance of drainage systems.

• The draft results of the section 19 investigation will be released on April 29.

• On May 8, a meeting will be held to discuss its findings with residents.

Residents believe water has been diverted from a nearby field, away from a new development and leading to flooding on Forest Hills, Broadwood Lane, Arthur Moody Drive, Park Close and Alvington Manor Drive.

Large ditch at the gate of the field and ditches filled with water leading to Forest Hill (Image: IWCP)

(See video above from one of the floods on January 4)

Natasha Dix, Isle of Wight Council's service director for waste, environment and planning, told the meeting work was carried out on the field to reduce flood risk, on October 31, but since then, unauthorised work by a third party has exacerbated the situation.

It was claimed a digger was used to create a large ditch.

A slab has been installed to slow water run-off and Ms Dix said it was not designed to stop it altogether.

She said 149 new homes proposed for fields behind Gunville would be accompanied by a new drainage system.

A resident praised the hard work of Sam Loba and members of IW Search and Rescue, who stepped in to help protect homes, accusing the council and Island Roads of doing nothing.

Flooding on Forest Hills/Broadwood Lane in Gunville (Image: IWCP)

Natasha Dix sympathised and said when the investigative report is finished, County Hall would be able to apply for funding, adding the report would help support any future courses of action, including using powers under the Land Drainage Act.

Currently, she said, there is no money available.

Flooded residents were encouraged to apply for Property Flood Resilience grants, but residents expressed scepticism about their effectiveness, without a long-term solution in place.

“We will try to stop the flooding,” said Ms Dix.

Flooding on Forest Hills in Gunville (Image: IWCP)

How to apply for a Government-funded Property Flood Resilience (PFR) grant

• If your home was damaged by flooding, caused by Storm Babet, you may be eligible for a grant

• Eligible property owners can apply for up to £5,000

• The cash is for flood resilience and to help you recover

• CLICK HERE for the PFR grant scheme via the Isle of Wight Council

Flooding on Forest Hills/Broadwood Lane in Gunville (Image: IWCP)

Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely, said: “If you want to be angry at people, be angry at the officials.

“I think it is a bit cheeky for councillors to let council officers take the rap.”

He told residents the section 19 investigation is required before any action is taken, to protect against legal issues, and urged residents to apply for the funding to pay for airbricks, floodgates and other precautionary measures.

A landowner and Southern Water were invited to attend the meeting, but declined.