Flood Risk Housing Plan Divides Market Harborough

0:00A developer called Manor Oak Homes is pushing for approval on 85 new homes on Floodprone land south of Farndale View and Market Harborough. Right off Lubinham Hill and just 20 meters from the River Welland, the site's outline application heads to Harborough District Council's Planning Committee tomorrow. April 21st and officers are recommending. They greenlighted despite the obvious water risks. The company emits the area faces a race flood chance but claims the homes themselves would stay dry through smart design. Council staff back this up saying the project tackles big housing shortages including affordable units and that drainage plans make it workable. Overall, locals are fired up though with 139 objections pouring in. Harborough MP Neil O'Brien slammed it as crazy, tying it to government housing targets while councillors David Page and Darren Woodewis argue the lands a key flood plain buffer that's flooded reliably for years. Residents living nearby point to the river already

1:03straining in normal winters warning new builds could push water downstream to spots like Willow. Crescent and Elm Drive they call the whole idea irresponsible messing with a balance that's held for a decade or more. As the committee weighs in tomorrow this class shows how housing crunch is forcing tough calls on risky spots but the flood fight might just sway the final vote. From your city powered by AI this is Lester News Today. I'm Corey with The Story.