FLOOD water in Kingsbridge may have receded – but now businesses and the local conservation forum would like to see a solution – before new developments add to the problem.

Last week Westville resident John Fraser spoke of his concerns over flooding in Kingsbridge if houses are built on the K5 site near Kingsbridge Community College.

Heavy rain and high tides saw Mill Street, Prince of Wales Road and Bridge Street under water. Mr Fraser said if the development goes ahead the flooding will get worse.

Matthew Croxford from The Seven Stars said: 'We support the development of affordable housing for local residents.

'But it is critical the local councils and developers work together to ensure drainage is improved and not made worse.'

Phil Walton, from the Hideaway Speakeasy, said: 'What we need is both of these issues dealt with. We need more housing and we do not need smelly drains that flood regularly.

'The tourist trade is declining rapidly and the town suffers from that, access to the town is restrictive. The residue flooding leaves is down right unhealthy.

'What I believe is required is more permanent affordable housing that cannot ever be used as a second or holiday home.

'We need auxillary or up-dated drainage to cope with this.

'We need good and safe footpaths that link us with the caravan parks and outlying villages such as Churchstow and West Charleton.

'If the district council would like to maintain the extremely high business rates they charge for Kingsbridge then they are going to have to put their hand in our public purse and invest in Kingsbridge's infrastructure.

Town councilor and Pizza Planet owner Wayne Grills said: 'This is a spring tide, we will always have this issue.

'This town is in desperate need of a greater population. As a business owner and a town councillor I have no problem with that. In my opinion we desperately need more people in the town to boost our economy.

'People had issues with Trebble Park being built, with Rack Park and Coronation Road being built, I could go on an on. Change is good. And it's time Kingsbridge changed.

'Without additional housing, jobs can't be created.'

Director of Pegasus planning Roger Daniels said: 'We have consulted our drainage experts who advise that the areas you mention were considered in the Level Two Strategic Flood Risk Assessment carried out by Scott Wilson (published in June 2009).

'The SFRA mentions that these areas can be affected by tidal locking of the tributary outfalls, which can happen during high leap tides. This issue is currently being looked into by the Environment Agen-cy.

'The Surface Water Management Strategy for Sites K1 and K5 will work with the EA and the highways authority to provide a sustainable approach to drainage.

'It is the strategy's intention to attenuate up to the 100 year return period before discharging to a natural watercourse at Greenfield run-off rates.

'By using this approach the entry time of the run-off from the site will be extended and therefore reduce the peak flows currently entering watercourses.

'Exact details are still to be finalised with both the Environment Agency and Highways Authority.'

Chairman of the Salcombe and Kingsbr-idge Estuary Conser-vation Forum Tony Watson said: 'Proposed developments right around the estuary are going to cause serious problems for the overflow surface water as well as other drainage problems.

'We already know Malborough sewage works can't handle the output from Salcombe and Malborough at all times and South West Water says Gerston Point can cope but is reaching its capacity.

'Water quality in the estuary is under severe threat due to the proposed building sites in Kingsbridge and elsewhere.

Mr Watson explained that the Conservation Forum has discussed the problem and they were advised that environmental impact assessments will be carried out when planning applications are submitted.

Mr Watson said: 'It seems crazy to get all this in place and then do assessments which may lead to objections at the last minute'.

'The recent floods in Kingsbridge are the visible part of the problem. We have been trying to reintroduce oyster farming in the estuary but the quality of the water is not good enough. There are too many phosphates going into the estuary from washing machines and dishwashers.

'Someone recently asked what the aims of the forum should be and I answered defending ourselves against things such as housing developments.

'They just keep building on top of our existing infrastructure.'