Neighbours Highlight Winter Flooding Risks at Middle Burgate Development

Construction activity has begun on the housing development at Middle Burgate on the northern edge of Fordingbridge. The 4.3 hectare plot, previously part of Burgate Farm, will provide 53 new homes. This comprises 41 market dwellings and 12 affordable units formed by converting Middle Burgate House and building a new two storey block.

Planners placed the site in Flood Zone 1, the area with the lowest assessed risk of flooding from rivers or the sea. The River Avon flows nearby but the land rises slightly above the valley floor. Despite this classification, people living in neighbouring parts of Fordingbridge have expressed concern. They refer to the locality’s established pattern of surface water flooding during the winter months when rainfall is heavier and more persistent.

Photographs circulating in local online groups display pooling of water across sections of the site following periods of sustained rainfall. Emma Child – facebook

Neighbours worry that development could alter natural drainage patterns and increase runoff towards adjacent homes in Burgate. These fears build on direct experience of how water behaves in this landscape when the ground becomes saturated.

Fordingbridge Town Council recommended refusal of the scheme during the planning process. Members highlighted flooding problems already affecting the area and questioned whether proposed drainage would cope with additional hard surfacing. Objectors from the public echoed these points, noting past winter flooding incidents and possible impacts on nearby properties.

The approved drainage strategy centres on sustainable urban drainage systems. Soil investigations indicated suitable infiltration rates for soakaways combined with swales, permeable surfaces and storage features. These elements were designed to manage runoff up to a 1 in 100 year event with climate change allowances. Hampshire County Council as lead flood authority reviewed the details and supported the approach subject to conditions covering construction and long term maintenance.

New Forest District Council granted permission after revisions addressed technical aspects including groundwater and connections for foul water. The decision included planning obligations for local infrastructure.

Community members now watch the early construction phase with interest. They have contacted the district council seeking confirmation that the systems will perform under actual winter conditions. Officers state they will assess any issues against the approved plans and require corrections if needed.

The Middle Burgate development brings into focus the practical realities of building in areas with seasonal water challenges. Local understanding of winter flooding patterns provides an important counterpoint to technical flood risk assessments. How well the mitigation measures succeed will help inform future projects around Fordingbridge.