Gypsy plan land at centre of flood issue - Derbyshire

From the Burton Mail

COUNCIL bosses in South Derbyshire are hopeful they are close to finding a solution to a long-running flooding problem on part of a busy route.

A stretch of the A444 Acresford Road, in Netherseal, has long been vulnerable to flooding, and following an investigation, it is believed a broken pipe under a nearby field is to blame.

After weeks of wet weather, motorists have again been forced to contend with surface water on one of South Derbyshire’s busiest roads.

But fixing the problematic pipe might not be a simple task for highways bosses, as it runs under private land which is currently at the centre of a bitter dispute in the village.

A plan to create a Gypsy site on the land, opposite The Crickets Inn, was blocked by planning chiefs over concerns about the impact it would have on the nearby River Mease.

The decision has since been appealed and council bosses will need to gain the permission of the land owners before being able to carry out work on the pipe.

Tony Stone, chairman of Netherseal Parish Council, said flooding on the stretch had long been an issue.

He said: “The parish council has had a number of complaints about it. We understand the drainage in the field is broken and the water table in the field is so high that it can’t run away.

“It is particularly dangerous as for traffic coming from the south towards Gresley, there is a sharp turn into Acresford Road.”

Derbyshire County Council said it had contacted the landowner for permission to investigate further.