New drainage measures outlined by a developer in Abingdon which aim to prevent flooding have been welcomed by a county councillor.
Nathan Ley has welcomed proposals by Bellway Homes to create new drainage measures around hundreds of homes it is building off Twelve Acre Drive.
Residents in the town have expressed concerns that the construction of so many new homes is going to make flooding worse, and severe flooding following Storm Henk in January damaged the contents of some people's garages.
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The developer has applied to Vale of White Horse District Council for planning permission to make changes at the site north of Twelve Acre Drive which, should help to reduce the risk of flooding.
This includes re-routing an existing ditch, provide a culvert beneath an access road, adjust an attenuation pond, provide an additional attenuation tank, reposition trees and shrubs, and re-routing a footpath alongside Twelve Acre Drive.
Mr Ley said: "Drainage and flooding is the number one issue in my inbox and one we are constantly taking this up with the relevant bodies.
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"The last year or so has been very hard on this front for a number of reasons.
"I have submitted my critical comments through the planning process and I really hope this application does manage to futureproof this development and mitigate against possible adverse consequences for new and existing residents of town, both for now and into the future. We will be watching."
Mr Ley welcomed the application for the new measures including the creation of a new watercourse path.
He added: "They plan to create a new path for Radley Park Ditch to ensure better management of water flow and enhance the area's capacity to handle storm water.
"This re-routing is designed to alleviate potential flood risks by directing water away from sensitive areas."
Alongside re-routing the ditch, the plan includes the creation of additional flood storage areas.
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The county councillor added that the re-routing of the ditch was being seen as an opportunity to improve the ecological value of the watercourse and its surroundings.
This includes planting vegetation and implementing landscaping that boosts biodiversity while stabilising the banks of the new ditch path.
A major housebuilding programme has been ongoing in the town in recent years, including 900 homes on land north of Dunmore Road and Twelve Acre Drive.
Fears about flooding were raised following Storm Henk when the Environment Agency admitted that temporary flood barriers previously stored in the town had been removed.
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