New homes spark fears over flooding

Developers want to build five new homes on part of the former Ibstock Brickworks near Lightmoor.

But residents of Brick Kiln Lane fear the new homes will aggravate flooding problems, put more traffic on the already busy lane and even affect the stability of the land.

They have sent their objections to Telford & Wrekin Council, which is considering the planning application.

A report to the council by agents Martin Edwards says that development would offer slope stability to the site which, its says, is now wasteland and known for fly-tipping.

It says that the majority of the site has been retained for the improvement of wildlife with hedgerow planting and a woodland. It would offer families the chance of semi-rural living.

Those living nearby say similar applications have twice been turned down.

John Lister lives in the cottage on the lane where he was born in 1950. He says flooding has become a major problem in recent years.

'Unstable'

“My house has been flooded four times since 2020 and twice I was forced to live elsewhere for six months,” he said.

“This application suggests that the surface water from the development will use a drainage ladder that goes into the brook which surely will make the flooding problems worse.”

Neil and Julie Clarke who also live near to the proposed development said that the flooding problem would not only affect those living near the Brooke but those further down at Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge, already badly affected by flooding.

They also said Brick Kiln Lane was a small, country road.

“We already have a lot of vehicles visiting the care home and putting more houses here will make the congestion worse, the lane isn’t big enough to cope” Julie said.

Mr Clarke said the site was once the tip for the brickworks.

“The gorge is unstable anyway – some of the trees on the lane have already been affected and are moving. Building on a collection of old bricks on land that is unstable can not be right.”