HOUSING chiefs at Dumfries and Galloway Council are working to reduce the risk of flooding at a site in Dalbeattie so that a much-needed development can go ahead.
Fields in the Port Road of the town have been earmarked for a development of 56 affordable homes.
The site investigations are “at an advanced stage” and Cunninghame Housing Association has been working closely with the council’s strategic housing officers to finalise plans ahead of submitting a formal planning application.
However, residents currently living in the Port Road area have experienced flooding in recent years, which has raised questions about the suitability of the location for a new 56-home development.
The issue was raised by Abbey Councillor Davie Stitt at Stewartry Area Committee last week. He said: “I’ll accept any kind of housing in the area, but that particular area where the houses are going, there have been three houses flooded within the last two years.
“They were seriously flooded after the storms and are sitting right beside these fields.
“I spoke to one of the residents and I think the council are putting a new culvert in to take away surface water that’s coming from the school.
“But this area with the field floods and I’m a bit concerned that, unless there’s major work done, this scheme might not go ahead.”
Jamie Little, strategic housing and regeneration investment team leader for the council, replied: “Cunninghame Housing Association and ourselves have been working really closely with the flood risk management team within the council to ensure this development can continue to go forward.”
He added that the introduction of a culvert – a structure that channels water past an obstacle – is intended to “alleviate the current issues” and enable a housing development on the Plot Road site.
Mr Little confirmed that he will come back to councillors with more details further down the line, adding: “We are obviously looking to ensure that this development can go forward. Members will be aware that Stewartry continues to be one of the high demand areas for affordable housing, and also through our housing demand need assessment work has identified it as one of the least affordable places for people to actually obtain housing.
“So, we are really looking to prioritise housing projects in this area.”
