Flooding concerns raised over Whitley self-build home plans

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 06:15 · Archive

Plans to build two self-build homes in Whitley, Wiltshire, have drawn objections from residents worried about flood risk. The application, submitted to Wiltshire Council by Steven Rogers of Bathford, seeks permission in principle for two homes and associated works on land at First Lane, near Melksham.

Residents claim the site has flooded repeatedly over the past 20 years and question whether proposed drainage measures would adequately address the problem. Although the site is classified as Flood Zone 1, indicating a low probability of flooding from rivers and the sea, objectors point out that this does not exclude the possibility of surface water flooding during heavy rainfall.

One objector, William Harrison, says the principal cause of flooding is the limited capacity of a culvert beneath Corsham Road, which carries water from the South Brook. He acknowledges that improvements introduced by Wiltshire Council in 2019 helped reduce flooding along First Lane and at nearby properties but argues that they have not eliminated the risk to the proposed development site. Mr Harrison fears the proposed flood prevention measures could simply divert water elsewhere rather than tackle the underlying problem.

Another resident, Mark Baker, highlights flooding during Storm Claudia in November 2025, when he says water from a tributary of the South Brook flooded First Lane and spread across the adjoining field. He also argues that the land forms part of an important rural buffer separating Whitley and Shaw and questions whether the proposed development would be appropriate.

How it is being reported

• Flooding fears over plans for new homes in villagePlans to build self-build homes in Wiltshire have prompted objections from residents concerned that the development could be vulnerable to flooding.Wiltshire Times · 12 Oct, 05:00
• Flooding fears over plans for new homes in villagePlans to build self-build homes in Wiltshire have prompted objections from residents concerned that the development could be vulnerable to flooding.Swindon Advertiser · 12 Oct, 05:00
• Flooding fears over plans for new homes in villagePlans to build self-build homes in Wiltshire have prompted objections from residents concerned that the development could be vulnerable to flooding.Gazette & Herald · 12 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Whitley · Wiltshire · Wiltshire Council · Steven Rogers · William Harrison · Mark Baker · South Brook · Melksham

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